Archive · 25 Aug 2026
Karnataka Suspends E-Commerce Food Licences Over Toxic Datura Listings
Karnataka found poisonous Datura fruits and seeds being offered online as food.
It ordered the food licences of Amazon, Swiggy Instamart and Bigbasket to be suspended.
The platforms and sellers must remove the listings and advertisements.
They must not sell or distribute Datura as food in the future.
Datura is also called thorn apple and has different regional names.
Eating it can harm the brain, heart and nervous system.
It may cause confusion, hallucinations, a fast heartbeat or seizures.
Some medicines may use carefully processed Datura in controlled amounts under expert supervision.
The government will consider restoring licences after checking compliance and hearing from the affected parties.
Karnataka ordered the suspension of food licences for Amazon, Swiggy Instamart and Bigbasket over online Datura fruit and seed listings.
Authorities said Datura, also called thorn apple, is poisonous and can cause serious health effects if consumed.
Platforms and food businesses must remove Datura listings, advertisements and promotions intended for food or human consumption.
Authorities also ordered action against sellers and establishments supplying Datura products to the affected platforms.
The suspensions remain in force until further orders, with possible revocation only after compliance reports and hearings.
- Who
- The Karnataka Food Safety and Drugs Administration Department, Amazon, Swiggy Instamart, Bigbasket, and sellers and establishments supplying Datura products.
- What
- Karnataka ordered suspension of the platforms’ food licences and directed the removal and prohibition of Datura products marketed for human consumption.
- When
- The suspensions began under the order and will remain in force until further orders; the articles do not specify the order date.
- Where
- Karnataka, involving online and quick-commerce platforms operating in the state.
- Why
- Authorities said Datura fruits and seeds are toxic and that online sales could lead people to mistake them for edible food.
- Affected platforms
- Amazon, Swiggy Instamart and Bigbasket
- Plant names
- Datura or Dhatura; thorn apple in English; Umathai in Tamil; Ummetha Puvvu in Telugu
- Regulator
- Karnataka Food Safety and Drugs Administration Department
- Required action
- Remove listings, advertisements and promotional material for Datura intended for food or human consumption
- Toxic compounds
- Atropine, scopolamine and hyoscyamine
- Possible effects
- Dry mouth, excessive thirst, dilated pupils, blurred vision, rapid heart rate, confusion, hallucinations and seizures
- Licence review
- Revocation may be considered after compliance reports and an opportunity for the affected parties to be heard
- Related incident
- A Kakinada family reportedly fell seriously ill in May after eating dal made with Datura flowers inspired by a social-media video
Sources
Amazon, Swiggy Instamart, Bigbasket face licence suspension in Karnataka over Dhatura sale
Karnataka Suspends Food Licences Of E-Commerce Platforms Over Datura Listings
Toxic Datura sold as food: Karnataka suspends e-commerce licences, orders listings taken down
