New Delhi: The World Health Organisation (WHO) has issued a global alert after detecting three contaminated cough syrups manufactured in India, including the now-infamous Coldrif, linked to the deaths of several children in Madhya Pradesh.

The WHO identified specific batches of Coldrif (by Sresan Pharmaceuticals), Respifresh TR (by Rednex Pharmaceuticals), and ReLife (by Shape Pharma) as adulterated and potentially life-threatening.

The agency has urged health authorities worldwide to report immediately if these medicines surface in their countries.

Laboratory tests revealed that Coldrif syrup contained deadly levels of diethylene glycol (DEG) — a toxic chemical used in industrial products like brake fluid — with concentrations soaring to 48 per cent, far above the permissible limit of 0.1 per cent.

The contaminated batch, manufactured in Tamil Nadu, led to a wave of outrage and fear after multiple child deaths were reported in Madhya Pradesh.

Following the revelations, Sresan Pharmaceuticals’ manufacturing license was revoked, and the company’s owner, G Ranganathan, was arrested.

Authorities have since begun a statewide inspection of drug manufacturing units to check for similar violations.

The Union Health Ministry has also advised states and union territories to exercise extreme caution in prescribing cough syrups for children, warning that such formulations should not be given to children below two years of age and are not recommended for those under five.

Health officials say the tragedy exposes critical gaps in India’s drug regulation and quality control systems, calling for immediate reforms to prevent another such catastrophe.