Karnataka Suspends E-commerce Food Licenses Over Sale of Toxic Datura

In a significant regulatory action impacting the retail and lifestyle sector in Karnataka, the state's Food Safety and Drug Administration Department has announced the suspension of food licenses for prominent e-commerce entities: Amazon, Swiggy Instamart, and BigBasket. The suspensions, which are effective until further notice, were prompted by the discovery of Datura fruits and seeds being openly listed and sold as food items on these platforms. Datura, commonly known as Dhatura, is a highly poisonous plant whose ingestion can lead to severe health complications, including hallucinations, respiratory failure, and even death. The department's inspections revealed that these hazardous products were being stored in warehouses and offered for sale with misleading Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) registration or license numbers. Food Safety Commissioner K. Srinivas issued an order directing the immediate removal of all Datura listings and advertisements, explicitly prohibiting the sale or distribution of these products for human consumption. While representatives from the affected companies appeared before the adjudicating authority, Amazon did not submit a formal response, and Swiggy Instamart requested more time. BigBasket indicated it had ceased sales and would re-label products to clearly state they are 'not for human consumption'. This decisive action underscores the stringent regulatory environment governing online retail and highlights the critical responsibility of e-commerce platforms to ensure the safety and compliance of products sold to consumers.