Karnataka suspends Amazon, BigBasket, Instamart over Datura sales
Karnataka has suspended food licenses for Amazon, BigBasket, and Swiggy Instamart due to the sale of the poisonous Datura plant, increasing platform liability.
Karnataka's Food Safety and Drug Administration has suspended the food licenses of e-commerce platforms Amazon, BigBasket, and Swiggy Instamart until further notice. The action follows the discovery of poisonous Datura fruits and seeds being sold as food on these platforms. The department has also suspended the licenses of the sellers supplying these products.
Datura, known for containing tropane alkaloids, can cause severe poisoning, including hallucinations, delirium, coma, and death. Despite its cultural and traditional uses in India, it is not considered safe for consumption as food.
The order mandates that platforms and sellers must immediately remove all Datura listings, advertisements, and promotional materials. They are also prohibited from selling, distributing, or displaying the fruits and seeds for human consumption. Suspension will only be considered for revocation after businesses submit compliance reports and undergo a hearing.
This ruling is significant as it holds the platforms directly liable for products sold, moving beyond seller accountability. Karnataka regulators are treating Amazon, BigBasket, and Swiggy Instamart as Food Business Operators (FBOs) responsible for the safety of food offered on their platforms. This aligns with the stance of India's Food Safety and Standards Authority (FSSAI), which views platforms as liable food businesses rather than neutral marketplaces.