Karnataka Suspends Food Licences of Amazon, Swiggy Instamart and BigBasket Over Poisonous Datura Sales
Following the online sale of poisonous Datura fruits and seeds, Karnataka suspended the food licences of Amazon, Swiggy Instamart and BigBasket. Authorities cited severe health risks, dismissed company responses and extended suspensions to third-party suppliers. Scroll below to know more about the FDA action.
The Karnataka Food Safety and Drug Administration Department has ordered the immediate suspension of food licences issued to major e-commerce platforms Amazon, Swiggy Instamart, and BigBasket. The punitive regulatory action follows the online listing, storage, and distribution of poisonous Datura (Dhatura) fruits and seeds intended for human consumption.
Trigger for the Investigation and Regulatory Crackdown
The enforcement drive was initiated following a consumer complaint regarding a packet of Datura fruit sent out through Swiggy Instamart. Authorities noted that the toxic item carried misleading food registration and licensing numbers. Karnataka H1N1 Cases: 4,212 Influenza Cases Reported, Health Minister UT Khader Urges People To Stay Alert.
State health officials highlighted that Datura contains highly potent tropane alkaloids, making all parts of the plant - especially the seeds - extremely poisonous, reports Financial Express. Consuming even small amounts poses a severe, potentially fatal risk to human health. Despite this toxicity, the items were found stocked in warehouses and listed openly across online grocery channels, often tied to traditional or religious practices.
Responses from E-Commerce Platforms
Representatives from the respective companies appeared before the adjudicating authority for a hearing:
- Amazon failed to submit a formal response to the department's notice.
- Swiggy Instamart requested additional time to present documentation regarding internal actions taken.
- BigBasket reported halting the sale of Datura items and expressed willingness to update product labelling to state "NOT FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION".
The adjudicating authority dismissed these responses as unsatisfactory given the acute public health hazards involved.
Directives and Extension to Suppliers
Under the issued orders, all three platforms must immediately take down all listings, advertisements, and promotional campaigns offering Datura fruits or seeds as food. Furthermore, the Food Safety Department has extended the suspension to the licences and registrations of the third-party suppliers and vendors providing these products. Karnataka: Woman Who Spent Life Begging Dies, INR 8.4 Lakh Found in 30 Sacks at Rented Home (Video).
The temporary suspensions will remain in effect until the platforms and suppliers submit formal compliance reports and undergo a separate revocation hearing under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 25, 2026 07:35 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
