The Karnataka Food Safety and Drug Administration (FDA) has taken action against major e-commerce platforms, including Amazon, Swiggy, Instamart, and BigBasket. The FDA is recommending the suspension of their food licences due to allegations of these platforms selling poisonous datura fruit and seeds as safe for human consumption. This decision raises significant concerns about food safety standards in online marketplaces.
If the licences are suspended, the platforms will not be permitted to sell food products until they comply with the directions issued. The action follows the discovery that some e-commerce platforms were listing datura fruit and its seeds as products suitable for consumption. The listings carried Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) licence and registration numbers, raising serious concerns over food safety and regulatory compliance. The responses did not convince the FDA. The department has directed the concerned authorities to suspend the food licences of the platforms until its orders are complied with. Further action will be decided based on the compliance reports. The department has stressed that poisonous substances such as datura cannot be marketed, promoted, or sold online as food items. The case highlighted concerns over the sale of products in violation of food safety regulations and risks to consumers. The companies did not immediately respond to FDA’s recommendation.
The recommendation has been made under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and the relevant regulations. The order states that the food licences issued to e-commerce platforms, including Amazon, Swiggy, Instamart and BigBasket, should be suspended under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
