{
  "id": 3205623,
  "title": "Karnataka Suspends Amazon, Instamart, BigBasket Food Licences Over Toxic Datura Listings",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/25/karnataka-suspends-amazon-instamart-bigbasket-food-licences-over",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-08-25T05:58:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Inc42",
    "slug": "inc42",
    "url": "https://inc42.com/buzz/karnataka-suspends-amazon-instamart-bigbasket-food-licences-over-toxic-datura-listings/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Karnataka Food Safety and Drug Administration Department has suspended the licenses of Amazon, Swiggy Instamart, and BigBasket after detecting poisonous Datura fruits and seeds being sold on their platforms for human consumption. The department directed the three platforms to immediately remove all listings and advertisements promoting Datura as food or for human consumption. Datura fruits and seeds are known for their toxic properties, and their consumption can lead to severe health issues. The issue was brought to the department's attention after officials found Datura products listed for sale on the platforms. During inspections, officials discovered packages with food licence numbers in warehouses, indicating that the products were being sold through ecommerce platforms. Amazon did not respond to the department's notice, while Swiggy Instamart requested more time to comply. BigBasket stated that it had ceased selling Datura and would revise its labeling to indicate that the products are not intended for human consumption. However, the department found the platforms' responses unsatisfactory and ordered the suspension of their food licences. The platforms are required to submit compliance reports, and a separate hearing will be held to determine whether the suspensions should be lifted. Any violation of the order could result in further legal action.",
  "summary": "Karnataka has suspended the food licences and registrations of Amazon, Swiggy Instamart, and BigBasket after poisonous Datura fruits and seeds…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 5,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "NDTV - India News",
        "title": "Amazon, Swiggy, BigBasket Lose Food Licences Over 'Datura' Sales In Karnataka",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/24/amazon-swiggy-bigbasket-lose-food-licences-over-datura-sales-in",
        "published": "2026-08-24T17:08:20.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Hindu",
        "title": "Karnataka suspends food licences of Amazon, Swiggy Instamart, BigBasket over Datura sale",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/24/karnataka-suspends-food-licences-of-amazon-swiggy-instamart-bigbasket",
        "published": "2026-08-24T19:28:36.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Hindustan Times",
        "title": "Karnataka suspends food licences of Amazon, Instamart, BigBasket over sale of 'illegal' fruit",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/25/karnataka-suspends-food-licences-of-amazon-instamart-bigbasket-over",
        "published": "2026-08-25T03:18:23.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Indian Express",
        "title": "Datura sold as food: Karnataka suspends licences of Amazon, Instamart, BigBasket",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/25/datura-sold-as-food-karnataka-suspends-licences-of-amazon-instamart",
        "published": "2026-08-25T04:34:28.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}