Archive · 25 Aug 2026
Karnataka Suspends Food Licences Over Toxic Datura Listings
Datura, also called dhatura or thorn apple, is a poisonous plant.
Its fruits and seeds were listed on online shopping platforms as food for people.
Karnataka officials investigated after receiving complaints about these listings.
They found some packets in warehouses with food licences or registration numbers.
Officials said selling, storing or promoting datura as food was not allowed.
They suspended the food licences of Amazon, Swiggy Instamart and BigBasket until further orders.
The companies must remove listings and advertisements offering datura for eating.
BigBasket said it stopped sales and would add a warning saying the products are not for human consumption.
Amazon did not respond, while Swiggy Instamart asked for more time to provide information.
Karnataka suspended the food licences of Amazon, Swiggy Instamart and BigBasket until further orders.
The action followed complaints and an inquiry into datura fruits and seeds listed online as food for human consumption.
Officials found some products stored in warehouses and carrying FSSAI licences or registration numbers.
The regulator ordered platforms and food businesses to remove listings, advertisements and promotions offering datura as food.
BigBasket said it stopped sales, Amazon did not respond, and Swiggy Instamart requested more time to submit documents.
- Who
- The Karnataka Food Safety and Drugs Administration Department, Amazon, Swiggy Instamart, BigBasket, and suppliers and sellers linked to the products.
- What
- Food licences were suspended over the online listing, sale and distribution of poisonous datura fruits and seeds as food or for human consumption.
- When
- The suspension order was issued on August 24, 2026, and the action was reported on August 25, 2026.
- Where
- On e-commerce platforms and associated warehouses operating in Karnataka, with the order issued from Bengaluru.
- Why
- The regulator said datura is toxic and that selling, storing, distributing or promoting it as food posed serious public-health and food-safety risks.
Regulator’s Position
Companies’ Responses
Whether datura could be marketed as food
Regulator’s Position
Karnataka’s regulator said datura is poisonous and that storing, selling, distributing or promoting it as food was impermissible.
Companies’ Responses
BigBasket said it had stopped selling the products and planned to use a clear “NOT FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION” label in future.
Adequacy of platform explanations
Regulator’s Position
The authority found the platforms’ responses and explanations unsatisfactory and ordered licence suspensions pending further proceedings.
Companies’ Responses
Amazon did not submit a response, while Swiggy Instamart requested additional time to provide documents about its actions.
Future of the suspensions
Regulator’s Position
The regulator said the suspensions would remain until further orders and required compliance reports and corrective action.
Companies’ Responses
The platforms may seek reconsideration after submitting responses and attending a further hearing.
- Regulator
- Karnataka Food Safety and Drugs Administration Department
- Platforms affected
- Amazon, Swiggy Instamart and BigBasket
- Products involved
- Datura, also known as dhatura or thorn apple, fruits and seeds
- Regulatory action
- The platforms’ food licences were suspended until further orders
- Supplier action
- Licences and registrations of suppliers and sellers providing the products were ordered suspended with immediate effect
- Required compliance
- Listings, advertisements and promotional material offering datura for food or human consumption must be removed or discontinued
- Company responses
- BigBasket said it stopped sales and would add a “NOT FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION” warning; Amazon did not respond, while Swiggy Instamart sought more time
- Reported price
- One report said datura was listed at approximately Rs 18–20 per fruit
Sources
Karnataka FDA crackdown: Amazon, Swiggy, BigBasket food licences suspended over Datura sales
Karnataka suspends Amazon, Instamart, BigBasket food licences over poisonous datura sale
Karnataka FDA Suspends Food Licences Of Amazon, Instamart, BigBasket Over Datura Sales
Karnataka Suspends Amazon, Swiggy Instamart, BigBasket Licences Over Sale of Toxic Datura
Datura sold as food: Karnataka suspends licences of Amazon, Instamart, BigBasket
Amazon, Swiggy, BigBasket Lose Food Licences Over 'Datura' Sales In Karnataka
Karnataka: Food Licence To Amazon, Swiggy Instamart, Bigbasket To Be Suspended For Selling ‘Toxic’ Datura Fruits/Seeds Online
What is datura and how online sale of the toxic seed cost Amazon, Instamart, BigBasket their food licences in Karnataka
Karnataka Suspends Amazon, Instamart, BigBasket Licences Over ‘Datura’ Sales
Karnataka Suspends Food Licences Of Amazon, Instamart, BigBasket Over Sale Of Poisonous Datura
