Why is datura dangerous? The toxic plant behind Karnataka’s action against 3 platforms
Why is datura dangerous? The Karnataka Food Safety and Drug Administration has taken action against three e-commerce platforms for selling the toxic plant as food. The platforms - Bigbasket, Amazon, and Swiggy Instamart - are required to immediately remove all listings and advertisements involving datura and cease selling or distributing it.
Datura, also known as dhatura or thorn apple, contains toxic substances like atropine, scopolamine, and hyoscyamine that can impact the brain, heart, eyes, and nervous system. Consuming any part of the fruit, including seeds, is extremely poisonous. The consequences of accidental ingestion can range from anticholinergic poisoning, affecting the nervous system, to potentially life-threatening complications such as seizures, abnormal heart rhythms, loss of consciousness, and breathing issues.
The risk arises from the lack of regulated dosing and the plant's presence in Indian tradition, which can create a false sense of safety. Precautions include careful handling, thorough handwashing after contact, and avoiding the blending of datura with other food items. Only qualified healthcare professionals should administer any traditional or medicinal use of datura.
Written by urgent.news from The Indian Express's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
