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 Datura as food items. The seeds and leaves of Datura 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 accordance with the National Food Security Act (NFSA) of 2013, which aims to ensure food and nutrition security for citizens by providing quality food at affordable prices, the government has initiated punitive measures against these companies.
Amazon, one of the world’s leading technology and e-commerce companies, was launched in India on June 5, 2013. It operates in various sectors including online shopping, cloud computing, AI, and digital payments. Instamart is a quick-commerce platform that allows users to order daily essentials like groceries and personal care items. BigBasket, established in 2011, is a prominent online grocery service in India.
The suspension of licenses reflects the government’s commitment to enforcing food safety regulations and protecting consumer health.