A detailed investigation by Tamil Nadu’s Drug Control Department has exposed severe lapses at the facility that manufactured Coldrif cough syrup, linked to the tragic deaths of children in Madhya Pradesh’s Chhindwara district.

The inspection of the manufacturing plant revealed over 350 violations, including unhygienic production conditions, lack of proper machinery, insufficient skilled staff, and inadequate facilities. The drug control team described the syrup being produced amid filth, raising serious concerns about the safety standards maintained by the company.

Toxic substances—propylene glycol and diethylene glycol—were detected in the syrup. While propylene glycol is generally considered safe in controlled quantities for use in food and medicines, improper handling or excessive amounts can be dangerous. Diethylene glycol, on the other hand, is a highly toxic industrial solvent used in products like brake fluid and paints and should never be present in consumable medicines.

Alarmingly, the report highlighted that the company had purchased 50 kilograms of propylene glycol without proper invoicing, a clear violation of legal and regulatory norms. Experts noted that cheaper diethylene glycol is sometimes fraudulently substituted for propylene glycol, a practice that has historically led to medical tragedies.

At least 15 children, primarily under the age of five, have died so far in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan after consuming the contaminated syrup. Authorities have intensified investigations, and the Tamil Nadu Drug Control Department has warned of strict action against the company responsible.