Datura sold as food: Karnataka suspends licences of Amazon, Instamart, BigBasket

Amazon, Swiggy Instamart, and BigBasket have been ordered to submit compliance reports to the Food Safety Commissioner, Bengaluru, within a stipulated time frame detailing action taken. State and central food safety officers have been instructed to take swift enforcement action against any sellers found continuing the practice despite these orders.

When The Indian Express checked the three e-commerce platforms Tuesday, Datura fruits or seeds were not reflected on Swiggy Instamart and Amazon Fresh. On BigBasket, it showed that Datura for pooja was sold out. A single piece of Datura cost Rs 14.

Amazon, Swiggy Instamart, BigBasket response

The crackdown follows inspections by food safety officials, who discovered that Datura fruits and seeds were being stored and sold through these platforms under Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) registration or licence numbers despite the plant’s well-documented toxicity.

In its order, the regulatory body said it was not satisfied with the responses, given the toxic nature of Datura seeds and fruits, which could potentially pose a threat to customers’ lives.

The case came up for hearing Monday when representatives of the three companies appeared before the adjudicating authority.

While Amazon did not respond to the earlier notice, Swiggy Instamart asked for more time to submit documentation on the steps it had taken. BigBasket told the authority it had already halted Datura sales, changed its selling process, and would update product labels to clearly read “Not for human consumption.”

In its order, the regulatory body said it was not satisfied with the responses, given the toxic nature of Datura seeds and fruits, which could potentially pose a threat to customers’ lives.

An official said the department has also ordered action against manufacturers, suppliers, and sellers to e-commerce platforms and that their food licences and registrations would also be suspended.

Datura, commonly used in religious rituals, is toxic if consumed and can cause serious poisoning. Every part of the plant, including its fruits, seeds, leaves, flowers and roots, contains toxic compounds.