What appeared to be an ordinary grocery delivery in Bengaluru turned into a serious public-health scare after a family received a “free” fruit with their online order.
The fruit was later identified as Datura, a highly poisonous plant.
The incident has now triggered action by Karnataka’s Food Safety and Drug Administration against major online grocery platforms, including Amazon, Swiggy Instamart and BigBasket.
How the Incident Began
A woman from Bengaluru’s JC Nagar had reportedly ordered groceries that included a cake and two energy drinks.
Along with the order came another item marked at ₹0.
The family did not initially realise that the green, spiky fruit was Datura.
The woman’s mother consumed part of it and subsequently became seriously ill, requiring medical attention.
The woman later raised the issue publicly and expressed concern that the poisonous fruit had reportedly carried a green vegetarian symbol without a clear warning that it was poisonous and unsuitable for human consumption.
What Is Datura?
Datura, sometimes known as thorn apple, is a plant belonging to the nightshade family.
Its different parts contain toxic compounds that can cause severe poisoning, including altered consciousness and other serious symptoms. In severe cases, poisoning can be life-threatening.
The key concern in this case was not simply that Datura existed in the supply chain, but that it was allegedly being listed, stored and sold through online platforms in a manner that could make consumers mistake it for an edible product.
Food Safety Officials Step In
Following the complaint, Karnataka food safety officials investigated online platforms and found Datura fruits, seeds and related products being offered for sale.
Officials also found products carrying food registration or licence numbers.
The Karnataka Food Safety and Drug Administration subsequently ordered Amazon, Swiggy Instamart and BigBasket to remove listings and advertisements involving Datura marketed as food and stop its sale or distribution as a food product.
The platforms were also asked to submit compliance reports.
According to officials, BigBasket reported that 6,432 Datura fruits had already been sold, while another 1,220 remained in stock at the time of its response.
The companies provided different explanations during the proceedings. Swiggy Instamart sought additional time to submit documents regarding its actions, while Amazon reportedly did not respond to the department’s earlier notice.
Why the Case Has Caused Alarm
The incident has raised questions about how poisonous plants can enter an online food-delivery ecosystem in the first place.
Datura may have legitimate non-food uses, including religious or traditional uses, but the food-safety concern arises when the product is presented or distributed in a manner that could lead consumers to consume it.
The Karnataka authorities have therefore treated the matter as a serious food-safety issue and ordered the removal of Datura products marketed for human consumption.
A Warning for Online Shoppers
The incident is also a reminder that consumers should not automatically assume that every item appearing on a grocery or shopping platform is safe to eat simply because it is listed for sale.
A product being available online does not necessarily mean that it is approved for human consumption.
The Bengaluru case has now turned an apparently harmless “free fruit” into a much larger investigation into food safety, online marketplaces and the responsibility of platforms to prevent dangerous products from reaching consumers.
