Silent Poison: The Cough Syrup Tragedy in Madhya Pradesh
What Happened ? In early October 2025, reports started emerging from Chhindwara district, Madhya Pradesh that multiple children under the age of five were dying from kidney failure following what appeared to be routine cold or cough symptoms. Governments and health authorities launched investigations. It was found that a cough syrup called Coldrif , manufactured by Sresan Pharmaceuticals in Tamil Nadu, was contaminated with diethylene glycol (DEG) — an industrial chemical that is extremely toxic to humans, especially children. Tests of the syrup revealed about 48.6% DEG in the sample — vastly exceeding safe allowable limits. The Toll As of early October, 20 children have died in Madhya Pradesh while undergoing treatment for kidney failure linked to the contaminated syrup. Additional children are still hospitalized, some in critical condition. The children came from multiple districts (primarily Chhindwara, but also Betul, Pandhurna) and had initially pres...