• Multiple Indian states halted sales of Coldrif syrup after diethylene glycol (DEG) contamination was linked to child deaths and kidney failure.
• Regulators reported DEG beyond permissible limits in samples; investigations span Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra, with inspections of dozens of drug manufacturers.
• Manufacturing details point to Sresan Pharma in Tamil Nadu; a batch (SR-13) and other products are under scrutiny, with some samples reportedly clean in MP analytics.
• Authorities expanded bans to other products from the maker, while neighboring states added restrictions and Tamil Nadu/Kerala banned the syrup locally, amid global scrutiny of Indian cough syrups.

Indian authorities say diethylene glycol (DEG) contamination in Coldrif Cough Syrup, manufactured by Sresan Pharma in Tamil Nadu, has sparked emergency actions nationwide. The Health Ministry and state regulators reported DEG exceeding permissible limits in tested samples, with states moving to seize stocks and bar sale across jurisdictions; Madhya Pradesh has extended a ban on Coldrif and all Sresan products, and a broader regulatory push has followed, including actions in Maharashtra and Kerala. The batch SR-13, produced in May 2025 and expiring in April 2027, was cited in MP directives as adulterated and not of standard quality. These developments come as Madhya Pradesh authorities note that seven of nine deceased children had used Coldrif, underscoring the public-safety urgency of the case, and Tamil Nadu regulators have forwarded results to state officials. according to aljazeera, channelnewsasia, and indiatimes.

Public-health authorities have broadened the inquiry beyond Madhya Pradesh. Channel News Asia reports that the Health Ministry is coordinating inspections of 19 drug manufacturers across six states to identify lapses and recommend improvements, while Tamil Nadu and Kerala have also moved to ban Coldrif locally. The ministry notes that DEG contamination has been confirmed in samples from Sresan Pharma’s manufacturing site in Kanchipuram, and MP FDA analyses showed some samples free of contamination in a subset of tests, illustrating the complexity of the safety checks involved. according to channelnewsasia and channelnewsasia and aljazeera.

By Thursday, authorities in Maharashtra announced a statewide ban on Coldrif, with the FDA also restricting sale of Anset syrup after safety concerns. The move follows earlier reporting of at least 14 child fatalities across Madhya Pradesh and nearby states, and officials are urging retailers and hospitals to halt distribution while stock is secured. The Nagpur division of the FDA has warned about Anset and directed testing of syrups, emphasizing that “Coldrif hasn’t been found in Nagpur yet, but Anset samples were collected” for analysis. Chaudhary of the FDA said they have sampled over 20 cough syrups this year as part of the safety drive. according to indiatimes.

In parallel, the regulatory spotlight on Sresan Pharma intensified as investigators traced the syrup to a unit in Tamil Nadu’s Kanchipuram district. The same reporting notes that the batch SR-13’s details align with concerns raised in MP warnings, and that additional products from the company are being restricted as part of a broader safety crackdown. The health ministry also highlights that DEG contamination has become a focal point of quality-control reviews across multiple states. Batch SR-13 and DEG findings are central to ongoing investigations. according to indiatimes and aljazeera.

The unfolding crisis has kept global attention on the safety of Indian cough syrups, with Al Jazeera noting ongoing scrutiny that has affected regulatory and manufacturing practices—part of a broader international concern following similar incidents abroad, including past cases in The Gambia. according to aljazeera.