Bengaluru: Karnataka Food Safety and Drugs Administration Department has suspended the food licences of Amazon, Instamart and BigBasket for selling poisonous dhatura (dhatura) fruits and seeds on their platform for human consumption. Datura was being sold as a fruit at around Rs 18-20 per piece on these platforms.
The action comes after the regulatory authority ordered a probe into the sale of datura products as well as their online listing on these platforms.
During the inquiry, officials found datura fruits and seeds displayed for sale on various e-commerce platforms. In some cases, the products carried FSSAI licence or registration numbers despite being toxic and posing a serious health risk if consumed, NDTV reported.
Packets containing datura fruits and seeds were found bearing food licence/registration numbers and that the products had been stored in warehouses and offered for sale or distribution through online platforms.
Platforms respond to proceedings
Representatives of the e-commerce apps appeared before the authority as part of the proceedings. According to the order, Amazon did not submit a response, while Instamart sought additional time to provide documents detailing the action it had taken.
BigBasket said in its response that it had stopped the online sale of the fruits, and noted it would correct the labelling to clearly state "Not for human consumption" in the future.
However, FDA found the responses and explanations unsatisfactory. It said storing, selling or distributing the products as food was impermissible. The department has directed the concerned authorities to suspend the food licences issued to Amazon, Instamart and BigBasket until further orders.
The suspension can be reversed after a hearing, provided the platforms submit their responses. The order also requires food business operators to take down or suspend any online listings and advertisements offering datura fruits or seeds for consumption.
