Karnataka Govt Orders Suspension of Food Licences of Amazon, Swiggy Instamart, BigBasket

The Karnataka government has directed authorities to suspend, until further orders, the food licences of e-commerce platforms Amazon, Swiggy Instamart and Bigbasket over the online sale and distribution of Dhatura fruits/seeds, citing public health and food safety concerns. 

The government also ordered the immediate suspension of the licences/registrations of establishments and sellers supplying products to the three online platforms.

It directed all concerned food business operators to remove listings, advertisements, and promotional material



relating to Dhatura intended for food or human consumption.

Known as 'thorn apple' in English, this plant is called 'Umathai' in Tamil. "In accordance with the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and the Rules/Regulations made thereunder, the concerned competent authorities have been directed to take necessary action for the suspension, until further orders, of the food licences issued to the e-commerce platforms, namely Amazon, Swiggy Instamart and Bigbasket, and to submit a compliance report forthwith," the Food Safety and Drug Administration said in a press release.