Karnataka Bans Food Licenses of Amazon, BigBasket, Others
The food licenses of Amazon, Swiggy Instamart, and BigBasket have been suspended by the Karnataka Food Safety and Drugs Administration Department until further notice due to the discovery of Datura fruits and seeds being marketed as food products for human consumption.
The action comes after an inquiry mandated by the department into the internet sale and advertisement of Datura, also referred to as Dhatura.
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Officials stated that the seeds and fruits are toxic and that eating them can present a significant threat to public health.
As per the results mentioned in the regulatory order, Datura products were available for purchase on various platforms, with certain packets displaying FSSAI food license or registration numbers. Inspectors discovered that packets with the fruits and seeds were kept in warehouses and were available for sale or distribution via online platforms.
The Karnataka authorities have instructed the three platforms to promptly eliminate all listings and ads promoting Datura for human use. They have been instructed to cease showing, selling, or distributing the items as food.
The regulatory measures also apply to the vendors and providers associated with the products. The department has mandated the halt of licenses and registrations for vendors and businesses providing Datura to the platforms, instructing the appropriate state and central food-safety authorities to take measures.
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The firms were provided a chance to reply during the investigation. Per the order, Amazon failed to submit a response, whereas Swiggy Instamart requested extra time to present documents outlining the steps it had taken after the department's notification. BigBasket informed the authority that it has ceased the sale of Datura fruits and stated that it would amend the labeling of these products in the future to explicitly indicate “Not for human consumption.”
The food safety agency, however, deemed the answers and justifications inadequate. The suspension will continue to be in force until additional directives. The platforms must provide compliance reports, and the licenses can be viewed for revocation of the suspension only after a distinct hearing and ruling post-submission of those reports.
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The Karnataka initiative highlights the duty of online grocery and quick-commerce platforms to oversee the products available in their marketplaces. The situation also brings up concerns regarding the scrutiny placed on food listings, especially when items are provided by third-party vendors and managed or delivered through network-connected platforms.
The department has cautioned that any breach of its guidelines may result in additional measures being taken under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, along with the relevant regulations.
The progress occurs as India's online grocery market keeps growing, with e-commerce and quick-commerce platforms increasingly managing a broader variety of food and household items. The Karnataka directive shows that food-safety authorities are applying oversight to digital marketplaces and the supply chains functioning behind online advertisements.