Amazon, Swiggy Instamart and BigBasket Face Food License Suspension in Karnataka Over Online Dhatura Sales

The Karnataka Food Safety and Drugs Administration has suspended the food licenses of Amazon, Swiggy Instamart, and BigBasket following the online sale of toxic Dhatura fruits and seeds.

The Karnataka Food Safety and Drugs Administration has taken strict regulatory action over the digital distribution of toxic Dhatura fruits and seeds. Authorities have directed the suspension of food licenses for major e-commerce platforms including Amazon, Swiggy Instamart, and BigBasket until further notice. This enforcement follows an internal investigation which revealed that these platforms were facilitating the purchase of Dhatura items intended for human consumption.

 

Online Availability of Dhatura Fruits and Seeds
 During the inquiry, regulators discovered that several online portals were actively listing and selling Dhatura fruits and seeds. Notably, some of these packaging units even featured FSSAI license or registration numbers. Viewing the situation with grave concern, the department emphasized that Dhatura is inherently toxic and its ingestion poses severe health hazards to consumers.

 

Mandatory Removal of Listings and Advertisements
 The regulatory authority ordered Amazon, Swiggy Instamart, and BigBasket to immediately delete all online listings and promotional advertisements linked to the sale of Dhatura for human use. Furthermore, the companies have been barred from distributing, exhibiting, or marketing the item as a food product.

 

Company Responses and Vendor Scrutiny
 According to the department, Amazon failed to provide any formal response regarding the matter. Meanwhile, Swiggy Instamart requested additional time to submit necessary documentation. Conversely, BigBasket informed the authorities that the sale of Dhatura merchandise has been halted. The firm also stated that future listings will explicitly carry the warning stating that it is not meant for human consumption.

 

Strict Penalties Threatened for Future Non-Compliance
 The Karnataka food safety regulator has further instructed these platforms to take action against the vendors and suppliers responsible for routing Dhatura products into their supply chains. The department has demanded compliance reports from all associated entities, warning that any further infractions will attract severe legal penalties.

What this means for you
Across India: E-commerce platforms are likely to face tighter regulatory scrutiny regarding food safety compliance and third-party vendor verification.

In Karnataka: Local consumers gain enhanced protection against the accidental purchase of toxic plants online, with grocery delivery apps subjected to stricter oversight.

Questions & Answers

1. Which companies had their food licenses suspended in Karnataka?
The Karnataka Food Safety and Drugs Administration suspended the food licenses of Amazon, Swiggy Instamart, and BigBasket.

2. Why was this action taken against these e-commerce platforms?
The action was taken after investigations revealed they were selling toxic Dhatura fruits and seeds online for human consumption.

3. What response did BigBasket provide to the authorities?
BigBasket informed regulators that Dhatura product sales have been halted and future listings will explicitly state they are not for human consumption.

4. How did Amazon respond to the department's directive?
According to the department, Amazon did not provide any response regarding the issue.

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