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The finding comes amid nationwide inspections ordered by the Union Health Ministry following multiple reports of contaminated paediatric syrups and child deaths in MP and Rajasthan
The FDCA has warned that diethylene glycol is a highly toxic chemical capable of causing serious poisoning, kidney failure, neurological complications, and even death, particularly in children. (Representational image/AI-generated)
The Gujarat Food and Drugs Control Administration (FDCA) has issued a public alert after detecting dangerously high levels of diethylene glycol (DEG)—a toxic industrial chemical—in two cough syrup formulations manufactured in the state. The finding comes amid nationwide inspections ordered by the Union Health Ministry following multiple reports of contaminated paediatric syrups and child deaths in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.
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According to the alert issued on October 7, seen by News18, DEG impurity above permissible limits was found in samples of Resiphix TR (manufactured by Rednex Pharmaceuticals) and Relife (manufactured by Shape Pharma). Both syrups have been declared “adulterated and not of standard quality.”
The FDCA has warned that diethylene glycol is a highly toxic chemical capable of causing serious poisoning, kidney failure, neurological complications, and even death, particularly in children.
“…The above-mentioned syrup formulations contain a toxic chemical that can cause serious poisoning, including kidney failure, neurological complications, and even death, especially among children,” said the alert issued on Tuesday.
“The sale or distribution of these batches is strictly prohibited with immediate effect. Retailers, wholesalers, distributors, hospitals, and medical practitioners across Gujarat are hereby instructed not to sell, distribute, prescribe, or use the above-mentioned batches. Concerned licensees of Gujarat State are directed to report any stock or supply details to the respective Assistant Commissioner of the district office of their jurisdiction immediately.”
After the death of more than a dozen children in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan due to contaminated cough syrup, the Union Health Ministry on Sunday convened a high-level meeting with all states and union territories to review the quality of cough syrups and enforce stricter oversight on liquid formulations following repeated episodes of contamination.
Gujarat FDCA acted on an alert by Madhya Pradesh’s regulator, with indications that the contamination may be more widespread across manufacturing units. Drug regulators in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Telangana have also launched inspections and suspended the sale of certain cough syrups as a precautionary measure.
The Gujarat FDCA’s public notice—marked “Issued in Public Interest”—underscores growing regulatory alarm over repeated instances of DEG contamination in India’s pharmaceutical supply chain, following similar tragedies in The Gambia (2022) and Uzbekistan (2023) that led to dozens of child deaths abroad.
A senior official in the state government told News18 that criminal proceedings have been initiated against the concerned manufacturers, and further testing of other batches is underway.
About the Author
Himani Chandna, Senior Associate Editor at CNN News18, specialises in healthcare and pharmaceuticals. With firsthand insights into India’s COVID-19 battle, she brings a seasoned perspective. She is particular…Read More
Himani Chandna, Senior Associate Editor at CNN News18, specialises in healthcare and pharmaceuticals. With firsthand insights into India’s COVID-19 battle, she brings a seasoned perspective. She is particular… Read More
October 07, 2025, 21:50 IST
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