What is datura and how online sale of the toxic seed cost Amazon, Instamart, BigBasket their food licences in Karnataka

Karnataka’s Food Safety and Drugs Administration Department has suspended the food licences of Amazon, Instamart and BigBasket after poisonous datura fruits and seeds were found being offered for sale on their platforms for human consumption.

The action followed complaints about the sale of the toxic products online. The department had earlier ordered an inquiry into both the sale of datura products and their listings on e-commerce platforms.

During its investigation, the regulator found datura fruits and seeds displayed for sale on various online platforms. In some instances, the products carried FSSAI licence or registration numbers despite being toxic and potentially dangerous if consumed.

According to the department, packets containing datura fruits and seeds were found bearing food licences or registration numbers. The products had also allegedly been stored in warehouses and made available for sale or distribution through online platforms.

What Is Datura?

Datura, also known as dhatura, refers to a group of plants whose fruits and seeds are toxic. The products identified in the Karnataka investigation were being presented in the context of food or human consumption, prompting action from the food safety regulator.

The department said storing, selling or distributing the products as food was impermissible.

What Amazon, Instamart And BigBasket Said

Representatives of the companies appeared before the authority during the proceedings.

According to the order, Amazon did not submit a response. Instamart requested additional time to provide documents detailing the action it had taken.

BigBasket, meanwhile, said it had discontinued the online sale of the fruits. It also said that the labelling would be corrected in the future to clearly state "Not for human consumption".

The regulator, however, found the responses and explanations unsatisfactory.

Food Licences Suspended Until Further Orders

Following the inquiry, the department directed the concerned authorities to temporarily suspend the food licences issued to Amazon, Instamart and BigBasket until further orders.

The suspension can be reconsidered after a hearing, provided the platforms submit their responses.

The order also extends the action to suppliers and sellers providing the products to the platforms. Their licences and registrations have been ordered to be suspended with immediate effect.

The food safety authority has further directed the concerned food business operators to immediately remove or suspend all online listings and advertisements offering datura fruits or seeds for food or human consumption.

The action highlights the regulatory scrutiny facing quick-commerce and e-commerce platforms over products listed for consumption and the need for food products sold online to comply with safety and labelling requirements.