Bengaluru: The Karnataka Food Safety and Drugs Administration Department has ordered the suspension of food licences of Amazon, Swiggy Instamart and BigBasket until further orders after toxic datura fruits and seeds were found being sold on the platforms as food products.
Platforms told to remove datura listings
The department has directed the platforms to immediately remove all listings and advertisements offering datura, also known as dhatura, for human consumption.
They have also been ordered to stop the sale and distribution of datura as a food product.
The action follows concerns over the potential health risks associated with the consumption of the poisonous plant and its seeds.
Datura poses serious health risks
Datura, commonly known as ‘Thorn Apple’, is a poisonous medicinal plant belonging to the nightshade family. Officials said consuming the plant without proper purification could pose a serious public health risk.
In severe cases, consumption can reportedly lead to coma and death.
The department maintained that storing, selling or distributing datura fruits and seeds as food is impermissible, prompting action against the platforms.
Food safety concerns prompt action
The department’s move highlights the responsibility of online grocery and food platforms to ensure that products offered for human consumption comply with food safety requirements.
The suspension of the licences will remain in force until further orders, while the platforms have been directed to remove the identified listings and prevent the sale of datura as a food product.