Karnataka Food Safety Department Flags Datura Contamination in E-Commerce Fruits, Vegetables; Orders Platforms to Halt Listings, Sales
Bengaluru, August 25: The Karnataka Food Safety and Drugs Administration has issued an advisory over the sale of fruits and vegetables contaminated with Datura through e-commerce platforms and directed online companies to immediately stop the listing, marketing and sale of such products.
The advisory said Datura fruits and seeds contain toxic chemical compounds and that consumption can have serious adverse effects on human health. It warned that accidental mixing of Datura fruits or seeds with edible fruits and vegetables, or their sale through online platforms, could pose a public health risk.
The department said e-commerce marketplaces, online food businesses and other establishments involved in the sale of fruits and vegetables must ensure that Datura-contaminated produce is not marketed or supplied to consumers. Platforms have been asked to immediately remove any listings connected with such products and prevent their sale.
The department also directed sellers, suppliers and distributors to exercise greater care while procuring, sorting and supplying fruits and vegetables so that Datura fruits or seeds do not get mixed with edible produce. Consumers have also been advised to carefully inspect fruits and vegetables before use and avoid consuming any suspicious or unidentified produce.
The advisory warned that failure to comply with the directions could invite action under applicable food safety laws. Food business operators and e-commerce entities have been asked to strictly follow food safety requirements and ensure that unsafe products do not reach consumers.
In a related order issued the same day, the department referred to e-commerce marketplaces including Amazon, Swiggy Instamart and BigBasket while dealing with the online marketing of Datura-contaminated fruits and vegetables. The order said the issue had come to the department’s attention through information relating to listings and sales on e-commerce platforms.
The department directed the concerned e-commerce companies to immediately discontinue listings, marketing and sale of Datura-contaminated fruits and vegetables and to ensure compliance with food safety requirements. It also called for monitoring of sellers and products listed on online platforms to prevent recurrence.
The department said online marketplaces have a responsibility to ensure that products offered through their platforms comply with food safety standards and that potentially unsafe or harmful food items are not made available to consumers.
Officials have been directed to monitor compliance with the advisory and take action against violations under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and the Food Safety and Standards Rules, 2011, as applicable.
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