The Food Safety and Drugs Administration (FDA) in Karnataka has announced the suspension of food licences for Amazon, Swiggy Instamart and BigBasket. This decision is effective immediately and remains in place until further notice. The action has been taken due to the alleged online sale of Datura fruits and seeds, known to be toxic, for human consumption. This step follows an investigation by the FDA, which indicated that these potentially hazardous items were available on various e-commerce platforms.

Findings from the FDA Investigation

The investigation revealed that Datura fruits and seeds were being marketed and sold as food products. Some items were reportedly labelled with Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) registration numbers, which misled consumers about their safety. The FDA warned that Datura is highly poisonous and poses significant health risks when consumed. Consequently, the agency has mandated that all three platforms remove any online listings or advertisements promoting Datura for human consumption.

Alongside the suspension of the platforms’ food licences, the FDA has also directed the halting of selling, distributing, and displaying these toxic products. Furthermore, the licences and registrations of the vendors supplying Datura items to these online platforms have also been suspended to ensure compliance with food safety regulations.

In light of these findings, the FDA has requested compliance reports from the involved e-commerce platforms. The agency has indicated that a further order regarding the lifting of these suspensions will be issued pending review of these reports. This underscores the state’s commitment to maintaining public health standards in food safety.

Responses from E-commerce Platforms

The FDA, however, found these responses to be lacking in adequate measures to address the issue at hand. The need for effective action and transparent communication remains paramount as the organisations seek to resolve the situation and reinstate their food licences.

The ongoing developments highlight the importance of ensuring that e-commerce platforms adhere to food safety regulations, thereby safeguarding public health. The involvement of a judicial body in the matter reflects the seriousness of the allegations and the implications for consumer safety.

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