State cannot suspend food licences of e-commerce sites: Karnataka Health Minister U T Khader

Bengaluru: Karnataka’s Food Safety and Drug Administration (FDA) does not have the authority to cancel or suspend the food licences of e-commerce players, as the licensing authority rests with the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), according to Health and Family Welfare Minister UT Khader .

On August 24, the FDA recommended suspending the licences of e-commerce platforms, including Swiggy Instamart, Amazon and BigBasket , under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, for selling poisonous Datura fruit and seeds.

If the licences are suspended, the platforms will not be allowed to sell any food articles.

Amazon, Swiggy, InstaMart & BigBasket may lose food licences in Karnataka

The e-tailers were found selling Datura fruit and seeds for human consumption along with FSSAI licence and registration numbers. They were subsequently directed to remove or discontinue online listings, advertisements and promotional activities relating to the sale, display for sale or distribution of the fruit.

On Wednesday, Khader maintained that the state cannot directly cancel or suspend the food licences of e-commerce players.

“Every state has a food officer deputed by the Centre (Central Food Safety Authority), and such matters are dealt with by them. We waited around 24 hours for them to respond. Since they have not taken any action, we are writing to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to take immediate action,” he said on Wednesday.

Khader added that a show-cause notice would be issued to the deputed officer.

“We are trying to bring things under control and expect cooperation from them. If they do not take immediate action, the work of our officers will go in vain,” he said.

In its response to the department, BigBasket confirmed that it would stop selling the fruit and be more careful with labelling.

However, when contacted by DH , the company declined to comment.

Amazon and Swiggy Instamart are yet to respond to the department, according to officials. However, Datura is no longer listed on either platform.

What is Datura?

The Datura fruit, plant and seeds possess toxic properties, and their consumption may cause serious adverse effects on human health.

Known in English as devil’s trumpet or mad apple, Datura is extremely poisonous. Its seeds and flowers can cause respiratory problems, depression, hallucinations and even death.