Coldrif syrup deaths: MP CM bans syrup statewide
What's the story
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has ordered a statewide ban on the sale of Coldrif cough syrup. The decision comes after nine children in Chhindwara district died, with at least five having consumed Coldrif, while The syrup is manufactured by a company in Kancheepuram district, Tamil Nadu. CM Yadav said, "The deaths of children due to Coldrif syrup in Chhindwara are extremely tragic."
Investigation underway
State-level investigation team formed
In light of the incident, a state-level investigation team has been formed to look into the matter further. The Tamil Nadu government had earlier banned Coldrif syrup from October 1 after children died in Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan. The Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA) of Tamil Nadu is testing samples from the company's facility for toxic chemicals known to cause severe kidney damage.
Health advisory
Advisory against prescribing cough, cold medications to children
The Union Health Ministry has also issued an advisory against prescribing cough and cold medications to children under two years of age. So far, nine deaths have been reported in Madhya Pradesh, two in Maharashtra, and one in Rajasthan. The Tamil Nadu FSDA has collected samples from the company's facility for testing toxic chemicals such as Diethylene Glycol (DEG) or Ethylene Glycol (EG).
Statewide ban
MP government bans all products manufactured by same company
The Madhya Pradesh government has also ordered a ban on all products manufactured by the same company as Coldrif syrup. An order issued by the Office of the Controller Food and Drugs Administration, Madhya Pradesh, stated that "samples are found to be adulterated, since it contains Diethylene Glycol (48.6% w/v) which is a poisonous substance which may render the contents injurious to health."