Now Reading: Karnataka minister seeks action against central official over Datura delay
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Karnataka minister seeks action against central official over Datura delay
Karnataka minister seeks action against central official over Datura delay
Karnataka Health Minister U T Khader on Wednesday sought action against a central food safety official for not acting within 24 hours on the state's request to cancel e-commerce licences over the…
Karnataka Health Minister U T Khader on Wednesday sought action against a central food safety official for not acting within 24 hours on the state's request to cancel e-commerce licences over the sale of poisonous Datura fruits and seeds. The Karnataka government had on Tuesday ordered the suspension of food licences of Amazon, Swiggy Instamart and BigBasket after officials found Datura being supplied as a 'complimentary item' with food through online platforms.
Khader said the state wrote to the designated central food safety officer in Bengaluru seeking licence cancellation, but no action was taken. The minister said a show-cause notice has been issued to the official. Around 2,100 Datura-related items were seized, but sellers did not disclose the source despite questioning. The minister said the state will seek changes to rules governing central-licensed e-commerce firms to give Karnataka greater enforcement powers.
Indian Opinion Analysis
Karnataka's push for direct cancellation powers over central-licensed e-commerce platforms targets a structural gap in India's food safety framework. Under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, the central licensing authority handles nationwide operators, while states enforce local compliance but cannot revoke central licences. This case echoes a 2023 row between Kerala and the Centre over pesticide-laden vegetables. The actual risk is narrow: Datura poisoning causes anticholinergic syndrome, but fatalities are rare if treated quickly. Watch whether the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) amends its delegated powers to states, or if this becomes a court case about concurrent jurisdiction.
Source: hindustantimes.com
This brief was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
