The Karnataka government has directed authorities to suspend, until further orders, the food licences of e-commerce platforms Amazon, Swiggy Instamart and Bigbasket over the online sale and distribution of Dhatura fruits/seeds, citing public health and food safety concerns.
The government also ordered the immediate suspension of the licences/registrations of establishments and sellers supplying products to the three online platforms. It directed all concerned food business operators to remove listings, advertisements, and promotional material relating to Dhatura (‘thorn apple’ in English) intended for food or human consumption.
“In accordance with the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and the Rules/Regulations made thereunder, the concerned competent authorities have been directed to take necessary action for the suspension, until further orders, of the food licences issued to the e-commerce platforms, namely Amazon, Swiggy Instamart and Bigbasket, and to submit a compliance report forthwith,” the Food Safety and Drug Administration said in a press release.
The department further disclosed that it came to its attention after Dhatura fruits and seeds were found listed for sale on certain online platforms under FSSAI licences or registrations.
The department clarified that the Dhatura plant has toxic properties and consuming its fruits and seeds may cause serious adverse health effects.
It said the online sale, distribution, or promotion of the products as food for human consumption raised serious public health and food safety concerns.
