New Delhi, Oct 14: The World Health Organisation (WHO) has issued a global alert against three India-made cough syrups — Coldrif, Respifresh TR, and ReLife — after they were found to be contaminated with toxic chemicals linked to multiple child deaths in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.

The alert follows reports that at least 22 children in Madhya Pradesh and three in Rajasthan, mostly under the age of five, died of suspected kidney failure after consuming the syrups. WHO has urged national regulatory authorities to report immediately if the products are detected in their countries.

According to the alert issued on Monday, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) of India confirmed the presence of diethylene glycol (DEG) — a toxic substance that can cause acute kidney injury

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