Karnataka FDA suspends food licences for Amazon, Swiggy, and BigBasket

food license suspension Datura sale e-commerce regulation Karnataka FDA public health safety

The Karnataka Food Safety and Drugs Administration (FDA) has suspended the food business licences of Amazon, Swiggy Instamart, and BigBasket. The action follows investigations revealing that the poisonous Datura plant (also known as thorn apple) was being listed and sold as a food product on these e-commerce and quick-commerce platforms.

Authorities found that Datura fruits and seeds, which are highly toxic and can cause severe poisoning, hallucinations, or death, were being offered for human consumption. In some instances, the product packaging even carried FSSAI registration or licence numbers, implying they were safe for consumption. The regulator has also ordered the immediate suspension of licences for the vendors and suppliers providing these products to the platforms.

During a recent hearing, the companies provided varying responses. BigBasket reported that it had ceased sales of Datura and planned to implement 'not for human consumption' labelling in the future. Swiggy Instamart requested additional time to submit documentation regarding its corrective actions, while Amazon reportedly did not submit a formal response to the notice. The regulator deemed the explanations unsatisfactory due to the significant public health risks posed by the toxic plant.

Entities

Amazon · BigBasket · FSSAI · Karnataka · Karnataka Food Safety and Drug Administration Department · Karnataka Food Safety and Drugs Administration · Swiggy Instamart

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 9 SOURCES] Amazon did not submit a formal response to the department's notice during the hearing. newsindialive.in · www.connectedtoindia.com · www.bhaskarhindi.com · news.abplive.com · www.newsbytesapp.com · +4 more
[● 9 SOURCES] BigBasket stated it had stopped selling Datura products and would implement 'not for human consumption' labeling in the future. newsindialive.in · www.connectedtoindia.com · www.bhaskarhindi.com · news.abplive.com · www.newsbytesapp.com · +4 more
[○ 1 SOURCE] Expert Dr. MJ Prabhu stated that while Datura is used in specific Ayurvedic formulations, it is never sold as a fruit and is highly toxic. www.newindianexpress.com
[● 13 SOURCES] The regulator also suspended the food licences and registrations of the suppliers and vendors providing Datura products to the platforms. www.connectedtoindia.com · english.mathrubhumi.com · www.newsbytesapp.com · newsindialive.in · www.latestly.com · +7 more
[● 14 SOURCES] Some Datura product packets were found to be carrying FSSAI licence or registration numbers. newsindialive.in · www.connectedtoindia.com · www.bhaskarhindi.com · english.mathrubhumi.com · news.abplive.com · +8 more
[● 18 SOURCES] The suspension follows the discovery of poisonous Datura fruits and seeds being listed and sold as food products on these platforms. newsindialive.in · www.connectedtoindia.com · www.bhaskarhindi.com · english.mathrubhumi.com · www.latestly.com · +12 more
[● 9 SOURCES] Swiggy Instamart requested more time to present documentation regarding the actions taken following the notice. newsindialive.in · www.connectedtoindia.com · www.bhaskarhindi.com · news.abplive.com · www.newsbytesapp.com · +4 more
[● 18 SOURCES] The Karnataka Food Safety and Drugs Administration suspended the food licences of Amazon, Swiggy Instamart, and BigBasket. newsindialive.in · www.connectedtoindia.com · www.bhaskarhindi.com · english.mathrubhumi.com · www.latestly.com · +12 more