Mumbai, August 26: The Karnataka Food Safety Department has suspended the food licenses of major e-commerce platforms Amazon, Instamart, and BigBasket. This action was taken on August 25 after reports surfaced that these platforms were selling the highly toxic plant Dhatura as food items. The seeds and leaves of Dhatura are extremely harmful to human health, potentially leading to severe mental illness or even death. The department’s investigation revealed that these products were listed in the food category without proper safety checks.
In addition to this, the government has initiated punitive measures against these companies under the National Food Security Act (NFSA). The NFSA, enacted in 2013, is a significant law aimed at ensuring food and nutrition security for citizens by providing quality food at affordable prices.
Amazon, a leading technology and e-commerce company, was launched in India on June 5, 2013, and has since expanded its services to include cloud computing, AI, digital payments, and logistics. Instamart, a quick-commerce platform, allows users to order daily essentials like groceries and personal care items for home delivery. BigBasket, another major player in the online grocery market, was founded in 2011 and has been a significant part of India’s e-commerce landscape.
The suspension of licenses comes amid growing concerns over food safety and the regulation of online marketplaces.