Goa Bans Coldrif After 11 Children Die in MP
11 children died in Madhya Pradesh after consuming contaminated Coldrif syrup. Authorities have banned the product and launched a nationwide crackdown on unsafe medicines.
Tragedy in Madhya Pradesh: 11 Children Die After Consuming Contaminated Cough Syrup
In September 2025, tragedy struck Shahdol district in Madhya Pradesh when 11 children lost their lives after consuming Coldrif cough syrup. Investigations revealed that the syrup was contaminated with diethylene glycol, a toxic chemical commonly used in industrial products. The heartbreaking incident sparked nationwide concern over India’s drug safety standards.
Following the deaths, Madhya Pradesh police launched an inquiry on 1 October 2025 and collected syrup samples for laboratory testing. By 4 October, test results confirmed contamination, and the manufacturer, Sresan Pharmaceuticals Pvt. Ltd., based in Indore, was identified as responsible for producing the tainted batch.
In response, the Goa Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) on 6 October 2025 issued a ban on the sale, storage, and distribution of Coldrif (Batch No. SR-13). Authorities urged citizens, pharmacies, and distributors to surrender all existing stock immediately to prevent further harm.
The following day, on 7 October 2025, Goa Police formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) and registered a criminal case against Sresan Pharma for culpable homicide and drug adulteration.
As the investigation continues, several Indian states have begun reassessing their pharmaceutical safety checks. Central drug authorities have also started a nationwide crackdown on substandard and toxic medicines to ensure such a tragedy never happens again. The incident serves as a grim reminder of the urgent need for strict quality control in medicine manufacturing across India.
