BHOPAL: The deaths of seven out of nine children in Madhya Pradesh’s Chhindwara district were traced to a poisonous cough syrup, Coldrif, which was found to contain a highly toxic industrial chemical, diethylene glycol (DEG). Laboratory tests conducted in Tamil Nadu confirmed the presence of the substance in the syrup, prompting the Madhya Pradesh govt to ban the sale of Coldrif and all other medicines manufactured by Sresan Pharmaceuticals, the Tamil Nadu-based company that makes the product. Seven out of 9 kids who had died had consumed the same syrup say sources.The confirmation came in a report from the Director of Drugs Control, Tamil Nadu, sent to the Madhya Pradesh govt on October 4. The report declared Coldrif syrup (Batch No. SR-13, manufactured May 2025, expiring April 2027) as “Not of Standard Quality” and adulterated, containing 48.6% diethylene glycol — a chemical used in antifreeze and brake fluids known to cause acute kidney failure and death when ingested.Following receipt of the report, chief minister Mohan Yadav ordered an immediate ban on the sale, distribution, and stock of Coldrif syrup across Madhya Pradesh, extending the prohibition to all products manufactured by Sresan Pharmaceuticals. The Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) issued urgent instructions to all drug inspectors on Friday to seize existing stocks, prevent further sales, and draw samples from other batches for testing.The directive stated that all Coldrif syrup found in the market must be frozen immediately and that inspectors must ensure none of the banned product remains available for sale or distribution in their respective jurisdictions. Inspectors were also directed to stop the sale of all Sresan-manufactured products and take legal samples for laboratory analysis.The tragedy first surfaced in late August when several children from Parasia and nearby villages in Chhindwara developed sudden kidney failure after being treated for mild fever and cough. Most of the victims were below five years of age. Seven of the nine children who later died reportedly received Coldrif syrup.Initially suspected to be a case of contaminated cough syrup, the district administration temporarily banned two local brands as a precaution. However, the Tamil Nadu test results confirmed that Coldrif, manufactured over a thousand kilometres away, was the source of the poisoning.