As the Karnataka government directed authorities to suspend the food licences of e-commerce platforms Amazon, Swiggy Instamart and Bigbasket, the focus is back on Datura flowers. The online sale of Datura fruits and seeds is what triggered the penalisation on the delivery platforms, as well as establishments and sellers supplying products to the three online platforms, citing public health and food safety concerns.
It directed all concerned food business operators to remove listings, advertisements, and promotional material relating to Datura intended for food or human consumption.
What is Datura?
Known as ‘thorn apple’ in English, this plant is called ‘Ummetha Puvvu’ in Telugu and ‘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.
The department said the issue came to its notice after Dhatura fruits/seeds were found displayed for sale on certain online platforms under FSSAI licences/registrations.
The Food Safety and Drug Administration press release said that “The Dhatura plant possesses toxic properties, and the consumption of its fruits and seeds may cause serious adverse effects on human health.”
Kakinada Family Poisoned in May
In May this year, the flowers had featured in the news when an Andhra family fell seriously ill after eating dal made with datura flowers. The Kakinada-based family had gotten the idea from a viral Instagram video, which they cooked for their in-laws when they were visiting.
The family fell sick four hours after having the meal and were rushed to the Area Hospital at Peddapuram and later shifted to the Government General Hospital in Kakinada.
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Karnataka officials said the issue came to its notice after Dhatura fruits/seeds were found displayed for sale on certain online platforms under FSSAI licences/registrations.
The department added that their sale, distribution, display for sale or promotion for food use or human consumption through online platforms was a matter of serious concern from the point of view of public health and food safety.
The department directed food business operators to immediately discontinue all online listings, advertisements and promotional activities relating to Datura fruits/seeds and strictly prohibited their sale or distribution for food or human consumption in future.
It said the suspension of the licences of Amazon, Swiggy Instamart and Bigbasket would remain in force until further orders.
Upon receipt of compliance reports, the issue of revocation of the suspension would be considered separately after providing the concerned parties an opportunity of hearing.
“The concerned State/Central Designated Officers and Food Safety Officers have also been directed to take immediate action for the suspension of the licences/registrations of the establishments and sellers supplying the above-mentioned products to the said online entities, with immediate effect,” the department said.
The government directed all the food business operators and online platforms concerned to ensure “strict and immediate compliance” with the directions in the interest of public health and food safety.