A family’s medical emergency arose after consuming poisonous datura fruit delivered with an online order (AI image used for representational purpose only)
The company said 6,432 fruits had already been sold, while another 1,220 remained in stock. I nset: FDA gives Karnataka eateries 15 days to fix lapses The Karnataka Food Safety and Drug Administration has directed food businesses across the state to rectify deficiencies related to food safety, hygiene and sanitation within 15 days, following a special inspection drive that found violations at several establishments. In an advisory issued on Aug 20, the department instructed food business operators to ensure they hold valid FSSAI licences, use only safe and quality food, properly procure and store raw materials, and immediately segregate and dispose of expired food products. After the 15-day compliance period, officials will conduct re-inspections. Establishments found continuing to violate food safety norms could face legal action under the Food Safety and Standards Act-2006, and applicable regulations.
You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Bengaluru | Silver Rate in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru | Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Petrol Price in Bengaluru | Diesel Price in Bengaluru | CNG Price in Bengaluru | LPG Price in Bengaluru Stay updated with the latest Bengaluru news.
Based on this, we checked which portals were selling datura or datura seeds and asked their executives to appear for an enquiry,” said Srinivas K, commissioner, FDA. Swiggy Instamart said it was conducting an internal audit, while BigBasket identified the seller and told officials that the fruits had been sourced from farmers in Malur. Amazon, however, did not respond, officials said.
The incident soon moved from a family emergency to the offices of the Karnataka Food Safety and Drug Administration (FDA), which took up the matter for further action. The woman initially approached the RT Nagar police, who directed her to file a complaint with the FDA, saying it was the competent authority. Acting on her complaint, FDA officials uncovered even more disturbing details: dhatura was not merely being sold online, but was being marketed as a food product, with food registrations on some platforms. Alarmed by the findings, the department moved swiftly to curb its sale. The FDA ordered the suspension of the food licences of Amazon , Swiggy Instamart and BigBasket, and directed the platforms to remove all listings and advertisements for datura and stop selling or distributing it as a food item. “Police informed her that we were the competent authority and then forwarded the details to me. The department found that the sale of the fruit with FSSAI registrations was a serious regulatory concern, as such registration effectively places the product in the food category. During the inquiry, the platforms offered differing explanations. Despite the govt action, the digital trail did not disappear immediately. When TOI checked the platforms Tuesday, datura fruits, seeds and powders were still available on two of the three platforms until noon. The advisory also sets out requirements for kitchen cleanliness, pest control, temperature control, personal hygiene of food handlers, safe water and ice, food labelling and proper waste management. Operators have also been asked to maintain records of procurement, storage, cleaning, pest control and staff training, and cooperate with food safety officials during inspections. Download the TOI App.
BENGALURU: A cake, two energy drinks and a “free” fruit with a Rs 0 price tag! Datura, also known as “thorn apple”, belongs to the nightshade family and contains toxic compounds that can cause severe poisoning, altered consciousness, coma and, in extreme cases, death. What appeared to be a routine grocery delivery turned into a medical emergency for a JC Nagar family — and later prompted the Karnataka Food Safety and Drug Administration (FDA) to crack down on the sale of poisonous datura fruit Monday.
A JC Nagar resident placed an order for refreshments on an online delivery platform on Aug 11.
“A delivery with my order included a free fruit later identified as dhatura, a highly toxic plant,” she wrote. She said her mother continues to suffer serious symptoms. Interestingly, along with the paid items came a fruit she had never ordered, listed at zero cost on the bill. Unaware that it was datura, a highly poisonous plant, her mother ate part of it. She soon developed severe symptoms, including chest pain, and had to be rushed to a nearby hospital. Later, the woman shared her ordeal on X. What alarmed her further was that the fruit reportedly carried a green dot — a symbol associated with vegetarian food — but no warning that it was poisonous or unfit for human consumption.