The Poison on Page One
Datura, commonly known as Thorn Apple or Dhatura, is a plant with a notorious reputation. Every part of it contains potent tropane alkaloids like atropine and scopolamine, which act as powerful hallucinogens and poisons. Ingesting even small amounts can
lead to severe symptoms including delirium, psychosis, paralysis, and in extreme cases, coma and death. For centuries, it has been known more for its role in traditional medicine—under strict expert supervision—and as a poison than as a food source. Yet, in a startling breakdown of safety checks, this very plant recently appeared on major Indian e-commerce sites, listed not as a botanical specimen for religious rituals, but as an edible product.
A Systemic Failure
The question of 'how' this happened points to critical vulnerabilities in the digital marketplace. The issue came to a head in August 2026 when food safety officials in Karnataka discovered Datura fruits and seeds being sold on Amazon, Swiggy Instamart, and BigBasket. Shockingly, investigators found that packets of the toxic plant were being stored in warehouses and sold with Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) registration numbers. This suggests the problem goes far beyond a simple case of mistaken identity. It reveals a system where third-party sellers can potentially list hazardous items under the guise of legitimate food products, bypassing meaningful verification. The sheer volume of products on these platforms makes manual oversight nearly impossible, allowing dangerous listings to slip through automated checks.
The Regulatory Hammer Falls
In response to the findings, the Karnataka Food Safety and Drug Administration took decisive and unprecedented action. The department ordered the immediate suspension of the food licenses for Amazon, Swiggy Instamart, and BigBasket until further notice. The platforms were directed to remove all listings and advertisements for Datura intended for human consumption. The regulatory body made its position clear: storing, selling, or distributing a known poison as food is illegal and poses a grave public health risk. The suspension also extended to the vendors and suppliers who were providing these products to the platforms, highlighting an attempt to address the failure at multiple points in the supply chain.
Unsatisfactory Explanations
When summoned by the authorities, the responses from the e-commerce giants were deemed “unsatisfactory”. Reports indicate that Amazon did not initially submit a formal response, while Swiggy Instamart requested more time. BigBasket stated that it had stopped the sale and would, in the future, correct its labelling to specify the product was “not for human consumption”. This response was particularly revealing, as it acknowledged the product's presence while sidestepping the core issue of why a toxic item was listed with food credentials in the first place. The regulator found these explanations insufficient, underscoring the gap between platform policies and public safety obligations.
The Blurred Lines of Responsibility
While Datura has legitimate, albeit controlled, applications in Ayurvedic medicine for ailments like asthma, experts are unequivocal: it should never be sold as a fruit or a casual food item. Access should be restricted to medical practitioners and pharmaceutical companies who understand the required purification processes and dosages. The incident exposes a dangerous gray area where products with dual uses can be misrepresented online. For consumers, the line between a medicinal herb for experts and an edible grocery item became dangerously blurred. This case serves as a stark reminder that the tag of a trusted platform and the presence of a regulatory number are not infallible guarantees of safety. The onus of verification appears to have fallen through the cracks between the seller, the platform, and the regulator.
