What is datura and how online sale of the toxic seed cost Amazon, Instamart, BigBasket their food licences in Karnataka
Karnataka’s Food Safety and Drugs Administration Department has suspended the food licences of Amazon, Instamart and BigBasket over the online sale of datura fruits and seeds, which are toxic and can pose serious health risks if consumed.
The Food Safety and Drugs Administration Department in Karnataka has suspended the food licences of Amazon, Instamart, and BigBasket after discovering poisonous datura fruits and seeds being sold online. The department initiated an investigation following complaints about the sale of these toxic products on e-commerce platforms.
During the inquiry, they found the products listed for sale on various online platforms, despite bearing food licences or registration numbers. Some of the packets even claimed to be food items, raising concerns about their safety. Amazon did not respond, Instamart requested more time to submit documents, while BigBasket removed the products from sale and promised to update their labels to state "Not for human consumption."
However, the regulator deemed the explanations unsatisfactory and directed the authorities to suspend the food licences of all three platforms until further notice. The suspension also extends to their suppliers and sellers, with immediate effect. The food safety authority has also ordered the removal of all online listings and advertisements offering datura fruits and seeds for consumption, emphasizing the need for strict compliance with safety and labelling requirements for online food sales.
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