WHO has issued a global warning over three cough syrups made in India contaminated with dangerously high levels of toxic chemicals, linked to child deaths and prompting recalls and calls for stricter oversight
The World Health Organization has sounded a global health alert after identifying three cough syrups made in India as contaminated and linked to child fatalities. The syrups — Coldrif, Respifresh TR and ReLife — were found to contain diethylene glycol at levels nearly 500 times above safe limits, posing extreme health risks.
The contaminated syrups have been implicated in the deaths of children under five in Chhindwara district in Madhya Pradesh. Indian regulators confirmed none of the batches were officially exported, though WHO warned that the risk of illicit movement cannot be dismissed.
India’s Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation recalled the products and ordered the manufacturers to halt operations. WHO urged all nations’ health authorities to screen for the syrups in their markets and report any findings.