A majority of parents have a bottle of cough syrup. A spoonful at night is like baby care.
However, recent tragedies demonstrate that there are cases when that spoonful is poisonous.
In India, Gambia, Indonesia, and other states, children have died due to taking cough syrups, which have been contaminated with poisonous chemicals. Unbelievably, these containers were labeled correctly, batched, and even approved.
Essentially, what do you do to secure your child? Let’s break it down.
What’s the Danger?
Diethylene glycol (DEG) and occasionally ethylene glycol (EG) – industrial chemicals that are antifreeze, not medicine- have been the culprit in many of these tragedies.
They taste sweet, so kids do not refuse them.
Even a small number of teaspoons is harmful to the kidneys, liver, and brain.
Usually, symptoms noticed are vomiting, sleepiness, or reduced urination, which lead to acute kidney injury.
At least 70 deaths of children resulted from the consumption of contaminated syrup in the Gambia in 2022 (WHO, 2023). Such outbreaks have been documented in India since the 1970s, with one happening in Jammu in 2020 when around 12 children died from the poison of DEG.
Recent Cases in India (2025 Updates)
- Madhya Pradesh (Chhindwara): Around nine children died due to acute kidney failure after they took suspected contaminated cough syrups (New Indian Express, 2025).
- Rajasthan (Sikar): Two children died after consuming cough syrup that contained dextromethorphan. The batch has been frozen for testing (Times of India, 2025).
⚠️ The Health Ministry, in turn, advises avoiding cough syrups in children under 2 years of age, recommending their use in children under the age of 5 only if it is essential (News On Air, 2025).
Why Does This Keep Happening?
Here’s what most caregivers don’t realize:
The main reason is:
- Raw materials such as glycerin are usually purchased by medicine makers locally.
- After being sold, these ingredients will never be tested again, and then they are combined into syrups.
- Contamination may be widespread when one batch is added to the chain.
💡 It’s not always a “bad company.” Sometimes, it’s a broken safety net.
Recent regulatory updates show:
- WHO now recommends high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) and gas chromatography for more precise detection of DEG/EG contamination (WHO, 2023).
- International reports highlight supply chain vulnerabilities in excipients like glycerin, emphasizing risk management at every stage.
The 30-Second Safety Check (Do This Every Time!)
Before applying any syrup to your child:
✅ Check who really made it. Find a manufacturer’s license number (e.g., Mfg. Lic. No.: MH/12345). ⚠️ Red flag: When all it says is Marketed by… without a manufacturer name on it, be suspicious.
✅ Check the batch number. Enter brand + batch number on the internet. In case nothing indicates something or even worse, you notice a recall alert, do not use it.
✅ Check how it looks and smells. Safe syrups are usually clear or of a uniform color. ⚠️ Stop when it is chemically smelling, oily, or cloudy.
✅ Use within one month after opening. Most syrups degrade or can become contaminated after 30 days, even if the expiry date hasn’t passed. Mark the opening date on the bottle and discard after one month.
What Doctors Recommend Instead
Children less than 6 years of age are rarely in need of cough syrup. Coughs are normally self-limiting and viral (American Academy of Pediatrics, 2018).
In children over the age of 1 year, pre-sleep honey helps to prevent night coughs and enhances sleep.
Never give adult syrup to a child — even in tiny amounts.
🩺 Pediatricians often say, “If your child is breathing well and drinking fluids, the cough can wait. But a bad syrup? That damage is permanent.”
What You Can Do Today
- Check through your medicine cabinet. Use the 30-second check.
- Dispose of syrups that are expired, not clear or whose manufacturer is not indicated.
- Report adverse reactions to the PvPI Helpline (1800-180-3024) or ipc.gov.in.
- Ask your doctor: “Does my child really need syrup, or is it better to wait?”
Also read:
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Good News: Change Is Coming
India is introducing QR-coded drug packs that let you scan and trace a medicine’s history. WHO is also revising testing standards to allow contamination detection to be more precise.
Until that time, watchfulness is your greatest defense.
Bottom Line
The initial level (minor) of cough usually passes on its own. A child may die because of a toxic syrup.
Stay alert. Trust your instincts. If a medicine feels wrong — don’t use it. Take syrup only when prescribed by a doctor.
About the Author
Dr. Komal is a medical writer and healthcare professional who simplifies health science into practical advice for families. Her work focuses on bridging medical research with everyday parenting decisions.
Disclaimer
This article is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Always consult your pediatrician before giving any medicine to your child.