Karnataka Suspends Food Licences of Amazon, Big Basket, Swiggy Over Datura Sale

The Karnataka Food Safety and Drugs Administration Department has suspended the food licences of Amazon, Big Basket, and Swiggy Instamart for listing and selling poisonous Datura fruits and seeds on their platforms for human consumption.

The regulatory action followed an inquiry initiated by the department into the sale of Datura products across quick-commerce and e-commerce platforms. Officials raised alarms over reports that Datura fruits were being sold and, in certain instances, allegedly distributed as freebies, creating a severe risk that unsuspecting consumers might mistake the toxic plant material for edible fruit.

Experts warned that Datura is highly toxic and should never be consumed as food. Dr MJ Prabhu, a subject matter expert at the Karnataka State Medicinal Plants Authority, noted that Datura, known as Kanaka in Sanskrit, is an Indian medicinal plant that is never sold as a fruit and must not be consumed as one.

According to Dr Prabhu, Datura contains toxic compounds such as atropine, and excessive intake can cause severe intoxication, psychosis, and loss of consciousness. He emphasized that only doctors, practitioners, pharmaceutical companies, and farmers should have access to the plant. While Datura is used in certain Ayurvedic formulations for conditions such as severe asthma and bronchitis, it is only administered in precise doses under expert supervision. He added that any Datura supplied for religious purposes must carry an explicit warning stating that it is not edible.

Dr GR Smitha, principal scientist at the ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research in Bengaluru, explained that Datura remains green when mature and has prominent, sharp spines. Although its appearance bears similarities to rambutan, it poses a severe hazard to unfamiliar consumers. Dr Smitha said the plant contains tropane alkaloids including atropine, scopolamine, and hyoscyamine, and excessive consumption can lead to dry mouth, hallucinations, confusion, and seizures.

Dr Aravinda SN, Lead Consultant in Internal Medicine at Aster RV Hospital in Bengaluru, stated that ingesting Datura fruit or seeds affects the brain, heart, and nervous system, with initial symptoms including dry mouth, intense thirst, dilated pupils, blurred vision, flushed skin, and rapid heartbeat.