Which Platforms Are Affected?
The Karnataka Food Safety and Drugs Administration Department has suspended the food licences of three prominent online services: Amazon, Swiggy Instamart, and BigBasket. The suspension will remain in effect until further orders are issued. This action
follows an investigation that found the toxic items were listed, and in some cases sold, with Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) registration numbers, creating a misleading sense of safety. Officials also found packets of the toxic fruit stored in warehouses ready for online distribution.
The Regulatory Crackdown
The state's Food Safety Commissioner has ordered the platforms to immediately remove all listings, advertisements, and promotional materials related to Datura for human consumption. They are now barred from displaying, selling, or distributing the products as food items. The department has also moved to suspend the licences of the vendors and suppliers who were providing these products to the e-commerce giants. According to reports, BigBasket stated it had stopped selling the product and would update its labelling to explicitly mark it as "NOT FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION," while Swiggy Instamart had requested more time to provide details during the inquiry. The department found the responses from the platforms to be unsatisfactory, leading to the licence suspensions.
What Is Datura and Why Is It So Dangerous?
Datura, known in India as Dhatura and sometimes called Thorn Apple or Devil's Trumpet, is a highly poisonous plant from the nightshade family. Every part of the plant contains potent toxins, primarily tropane alkaloids like atropine and scopolamine. These chemicals can have severe effects on the central nervous system, heart, and brain. Ingestion is a medical emergency, as there is no safe dose; the toxicity can vary widely from plant to plant, making even a small amount potentially fatal. While the plant has historical uses in traditional medicine like Ayurveda, it is not meant for direct sale or consumption as a food product.
Symptoms of Datura Poisoning
Medical experts warn that consuming Datura can lead to a condition known as anticholinergic syndrome. Initial symptoms include a dry mouth, intense thirst, blurred vision, dilated pupils, rapid heartbeat, and flushed skin. As the poisoning progresses, it can cause severe confusion, agitation, vivid and often terrifying hallucinations, and delirium. In severe cases, Datura poisoning can lead to seizures, loss of consciousness, respiratory failure, coma, and even death. Due to these life-threatening risks, anyone who suspects they have ingested Datura should seek immediate medical attention.
A Broader Push for Food Safety
This action against the e-commerce platforms is part of a wider, more aggressive food safety drive across Karnataka. In recent weeks, authorities have conducted numerous raids and inspections targeting restaurants, high-end hotels, and food processing units. These actions have uncovered issues ranging from expired meat and vegetables to the use of artificial colours in food. Just recently, the state also banned the sale of 'analogue paneer'—a non-dairy product being passed off as real paneer—for a year to prevent consumers from being misled. This series of crackdowns signals a clear intent from the administration to enforce stricter food safety standards across the entire supply chain, from local vendors to major online retailers.
