Karnataka Suspends Food Licenses of Amazon, BigBasket, and Instamart Over Sale of Poisonous Datura

BENGALURU: In a significant crackdown on the booming quick-commerce sector, the Karnataka Food Safety and Drugs Administration Department has suspended the food licenses of major e-commerce platforms, including Amazon, Swiggy Instamart, and BigBasket. The regulatory action follows the discovery that these platforms were listing and selling Datura—a highly poisonous plant—for human consumption.

The Dangerous Oversight

The investigation was triggered by public complaints regarding the sale of Datura fruits and seeds on these popular delivery applications. Often referred to as “Jimson weed” or “thorn apple,” Datura contains potent tropane alkaloids that are toxic to humans and can cause severe health complications or death if ingested.

Upon review, state food safety inspectors discovered that these products were being listed on the platforms—in several instances accompanied by official FSSAI license or registration numbers. The investigation revealed that the toxic seeds were being stored in warehouses and offered for distribution, implying they were intended for human consumption rather than ornamental or botanical purposes.

Regulatory Response

The Karnataka authorities acted swiftly, summoning representatives from the implicated firms to provide an explanation. The department characterized the responses from the companies as “unsatisfactory.”

• Amazon: Failed to submit a formal response to the authority.
• Swiggy Instamart: Requested an extension to gather documentation regarding their internal corrective actions.
• BigBasket: Stated they had ceased online sales of the fruit and claimed they would update their product labeling to explicitly state “Not for human consumption” moving forward.

Despite these claims, the regulator remained firm, noting that the storage, sale, or distribution of such toxic flora as food items is a clear violation of safety protocols.

Consequently, the department has ordered the suspension of food licenses for all three entities, effective immediately. This order also extends to the individual suppliers and third-party sellers providing these items to the platforms.

Next Steps for Platforms

The suspension will remain in place until the platforms participate in a formal hearing and provide adequate justifications for the safety breaches. In the interim, the department has mandated that all listings and advertisements for Datura products must be removed from the apps immediately.

This incident highlights the growing regulatory challenges surrounding quick-commerce platforms, which are now facing increased scrutiny regarding quality control, vendor accountability, and the safety of the products reaching consumers’ doorsteps.