Distacart Inc.
FDA issued a warning letter to Distacart Inc. (Mountain View, CA, United States) on Nov 17, 2025, citing 21 CFR 201.128. Subject: Unapproved New Drugs.
From the letter: “Based on our review, these products are unapproved new drugs under section 505(a) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act), 21 U.S.C. 355(a).”
At a glance
What a reviewer notes before reading: findings, citations, the response deadline and what the letter warns of.
- Violations
- 2 findings · 1 issue type
- Cited
- 21 CFR 201.128
- Response due
- 15 working days after receipt of this letter
- FDA asks for
- 4 actions
- Named as possible actions
- Seizure, injunction
- Issued by
- Center for Drug Evaluation and Research
- Published status
- No close-out recorded
AI assisted findings
Model-assisted reading of each issue. Open one to see the FDA text it comes from, and check it against the full letter.
01Labeling, claims & marketingThe website offers unapproved new drugs for sale in the United States, including products claiming to treat malaria, depression, asthma, measles, gout, and various eye conditions; these products lack approved applications and are therefore introduced into interstate commerce in violation of FD&C Act sections 301(d) and 505(a).
Based on our review, these products are unapproved new drugs under section 505(a) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act), 21 U.S.C. 355(a). As explained further below, introducing or delivering these products for introduction into interstate commerce violates sections 301(d) and 505(a) of the FD&C Act, 21 U.S.C. 331(d) and 355(a).
02Labeling, claims & marketingHomeopathic drug products are subject to the same statutory requirements as other drugs; nothing in the FD&C Act exempts them from adulteration, misbranding, or approval requirements.
Homeopathic drug products are subject to the same statutory requirements as other drugs; nothing in the FD&C Act exempts homeopathic drugs from any of the requirements related to adulteration, misbranding, or FDA approval.
What FDA requested
- Notify FDA in writing within fifteen working days of receipt of this letter of specific steps taken to correct any violations.
- Include an explanation of each step taken to prevent recurrence of violations, as well as copies of related documentation.
- If products are believed not in violation, include reasoning and supporting information for consideration.
- If correction cannot be completed within fifteen working days, state reason for delay and time within which correction will be completed.
FDA Warning Letter
46 paragraphs · 11 sectionsText as published on FDA.gov, retrieved Oct 26, 2026. Layout added for reading; the wording is FDA’s. View on FDA.gov (opens in a new tab)
1WARNING LETTER
6 paragraphs
November 17, 2025
RE: 716212
Venkata Vamsi Krishna Kothuri:
This letter is to advise you that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reviewed your website at https://www.distacart.com in September 2025. The FDA has observed that your website offers “SBL Malaria Officinalis Dilution,” “Allen Depression Drops A79,” “Wheezal WL2 Drops,” “Bjain Omeo Asthma Medicated Syrup,” “Dr. Reckeweg R62,” “Lord’s Eyerite Eye Drops,” “Sitaram Ayurveda Elaneer Kuzhamb,” “Dr. M.S. Basu’s Isotine Eye Drop,” and “SBL Euphrasia 10% Eye Drops” (hereinafter Distacart products) for sale in the United States. Based on our review, these products are unapproved new drugs under section 505(a) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act), 21 U.S.C. 355(a). As explained further below, introducing or delivering these products for introduction into interstate commerce violates sections 301(d) and 505(a) of the FD&C Act, 21 U.S.C. 331(d) and 355(a).
Your Distacart products are especially concerning from a public health perspective. As described below, the labeling of your unapproved “SBL Malaria Officinalis Dilution,” “Allen Depression Drops A79,” “Wheezal WL2 Drops,” “Bjain Omeo Asthma Medicated Syrup,” and “Dr. Reckeweg R62” drug products includes claims to cure, mitigate, treat, or prevent serious and/or life-threatening conditions such as malaria, gout, asthma, measles, and depression, and may cause consumers to forgo, delay, or discontinue medical treatments that have been found safe and effective for such conditions through the FDA review process. In addition, your unapproved “Lord’s Eyerite Eye Drops,” “Sitaram Ayurveda Elaneer Kuzhamb,” “Dr. M.S. Basu’s Isotine Eye Drop,” and “SBL Euphrasia 10% Eye Drops” drug products are concerning because ophthalmic drug products, which are intended for administration into the eyes, in general pose a greater risk of harm to users because the route of administration for these products bypasses some of the body’s natural defenses.
Based on a review of your website, your Distacart products are drugs under section 201(g)(1) of the FD&C Act, 21 U.S.C. 321(g)(1), because they are intended for use in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease, and/or intended to affect the structure or any function of the body. Examples from your product labeling, including on your website, that provide evidence of the intended use (as defined in 21 CFR 201.128) of these products as drugs include, but may not be limited to, the following:
2SBL Malaria Officinalis Dilution
3 paragraphs
On the webpage https://www.distacart.com/products/sbl-homeopathy-malaria-officinalis-dilution?variant=41391178743967
“It is a homeopathic remedy for constipation, gout, etc. It is conventionally used for taking care of Malaria and leg cramps.”
“Key Benefits:o It may help in taking care of malaria and leg crampso may [sic] used to reduce symptoms like chilling and shiveringo may Assists [sic] in taking care of Live infections, Neuralgia, and Rheumatismo may [sic] Beneficial for taking care of inflammation of the eyes with heat, redness, and burning”
3Allen Depression Drops A79
2 paragraphs
On the webpage https://www.distacart.com/products/allen-homeopathy-a79-depression-drops:
From the product packaging: “Indications: Hopelessness, Low mood, Reduced energy, Appetite disturbance, Loss of libido, Insomnia, Low self-esteem, Suicidal thoughts, unusual fears, Pessimism, Ideas of worthlessness.”
4Wheezal WL2 Drops
2 paragraphs
On the webpage https://www.distacart.com/products/wheezal-wl2-asthma-drops?variant=40335275786399:
From the product packaging:“AsthmaRelieves Tightening Of The Chest And Opens Airways”
5Bjain Omeo Asthma Medicated Syrup
2 paragraphs
On the webpage https://www.distacart.com/products/bjain-homeopathy-omeo-asthma-syrup?variant=42818832564383:
From the product packaging:“The Homoeopathic [sic] BronchodilatorDifficulty in breathingWheezingTightness of the chestAsthmatic Cough”
6Dr. Reckeweg R62
3 paragraphs
On the webpage https://www.distacart.com/products/dr-reckeweg-r62-measles-morbillin-drop:
“Dr. Reckeweg R62 Measles (Morbillin) Drop - 22 ml”
From the product packaging: “Morbillin - Inflammation of mucous membranes”
7Lord’s Eyerite Eye Drops
2 paragraphs
On the webpage https://www.distacart.com/products/lords-homeopathy-eyerite-eye-drops:
From the product packaging:“Indications:o Conjunctivitiso Redness of eyeso Wateringo Paino Irritationo Dry Eyes”
8Sitaram Ayurveda Elaneer Kuzhamb
2 paragraphs
On the webpage https://www.distacart.com/products/sitaram-ayurveda-elaneer-kuzhambu-eye-drops:
From the product packaging: “Remedy For All Eye Disease”
9Dr. M.S. Basu’s Isotine Eye Drop
2 paragraphs
On the webpage https://www.distacart.com/products/dr-basus-isotine-eye-drops?variant=41382453215391:
From the product packaging: “Use in Immature Cataract, Myopia, Hypermetropia, Glaucoma, Diabetic Retinopathy, Macular Degeneration, Retinitis, Pigmentosa, Colour Blindness etc.”
10SBL Euphrasia 10% Eye Drops
4 paragraphs
On the webpage https://www.distacart.com/products/sbl-homeopathy-euphrasia-10-eye-drops?variant=41212397551775:
From the product packaging:“Indication:For conjunctivitis, redness of eyes, watering, pain, irritation, photophobia, dry eyes.”
Your Distacart products are “new drugs” under section 201(p) of the FD&C Act, 21 U.S.C. 321(p), because they are not generally recognized as safe and effective (GRASE) for use under the above-described conditions prescribed, recommended, or suggested in their labeling. With certain exceptions not applicable here, a new drug may not be introduced or delivered for introduction into interstate commerce without an approved application from FDA in effect, as described in section 505(a) of the FD&C Act, 21 U.S.C. 355(a). No approved applications pursuant to section 505 of the FD&C Act, 21 U.S.C. 355, are in effect for these products. Accordingly, these products are unapproved new drugs. The introduction or delivery for introduction into interstate commerce of these unapproved new drug products violates sections 301(d) and 505(a) of the FD&C Act, 21 U.S.C. 331(d) and 355(a).
We recognize that your “SBL Malaria Officinalis Dilution,” “Allen Depression Drops A79,” “Wheezal WL2 Drops,” “Bjain Omeo Asthma Medicated Syrup,” “Dr. Reckeweg R62,” “Lord’s Eyerite Eye Drops,” and “SBL Euphrasia 10% Eye Drops” drug products are labeled as homeopathic drugs. Under section 201(g)(1) of the FD&C Act, 21 U.S.C. 321(g)(1), the term “drug” includes articles recognized in the official Homeopathic Pharmacopeia of the United States (HPUS), or any supplement to it. Homeopathic drug products are subject to the same statutory requirements as other drugs; nothing in the FD&C Act exempts homeopathic drugs from any of the requirements related to adulteration, misbranding, or FDA approval.
11Conclusion
4 paragraphs
The violations cited in this letter are not intended to be an all-inclusive statement of violations that may exist in connection with your products. You are responsible for investigating and determining the causes of any violations and for preventing their recurrence or the occurrence of other violations. It is your responsibility to ensure that your firm complies with all requirements of federal law, including FDA regulations.
This letter notifies you of our concerns and provides you an opportunity to address them. Failure to adequately address this matter may lead to regulatory or legal action including, without limitation, seizure and injunction.
Please notify FDA in writing, within fifteen working days of receipt of this letter, of the specific steps you have taken to correct any violations. Include an explanation of each step being taken to prevent the recurrence of violations, as well as copies of related documentation. If you believe that your products are not in violation of the FD&C Act, include your reasoning and any supporting information for our consideration. If you cannot complete corrective action within fifteen working days, state the reason for the delay and the time within which you will complete the correction.
Your response should be sent to U.S. Food and Drug Administration, CDER/OC/Office of Unapproved Drugs and Labeling Compliance by email to FDAAdvisory@fda.hhs.gov. Please include your firm name and the unique identifier “716212” in the subject line of the email.
Citations and trends
Each 21 CFR section, ISO 13485 clause and issue type in this letter, how often it appears across all letters, and its trend by the year FDA issued the letters. 2026 runs to Nov 3, 2026, compared with the same dates last year. Select a row or a bar to see those letters in Letters. As cited in this historical letter, not a statement of current requirements.
Regulations
Issue types
Record details
- Issuing center
- Center for Drug Evaluation and Research
- Issuing office
- Center for Drug Evaluation and Research
- Location
- Mountain View, CA, United States
- Letter posted date
- Nov 25, 2025
- Letter issue date
- Nov 17, 2025
- Addressed to
- Not recorded
- Inspection dates
- Not recorded
- Response window
- 15 working days after receipt of this letter
Read the source clause
Please notify FDA in writing, within fifteen working days of receipt of this letter, of the specific steps you have taken to correct any violations.
- Record length
- 1,162 words · 0 recorded redactions
- Published status
- No published close-out
- Original letter
- View on FDA.gov (opens in a new tab)
- Dataset last checked
- Nov 11, 2026 · How this is built
A response window is not a calculated due date. Source excerpts are selected passages. Finding interpretations and categories are model-assisted. Verify the original letter before relying on a finding.