According to local authorities and reports, at least three Indian states have banned a cough syrup following the deaths of several children, allegedly after consuming the product. The deaths of at least nine children, all under the age of five, since late August in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, have been linked to the prescribed cough medicine.

The health ministry of India announced on Saturday that laboratory tests on samples of the syrup consumed by the children revealed contamination with diethylene glycol (DEG), a toxic industrial solvent that can be fatal even in small quantities. "The samples are found to contain DEG beyond the permissible limit," the ministry stated.

"The sale of this syrup has been banned throughout Madhya Pradesh," declared Mohan Yadav, the chief minister of the central state where most deaths were reported. 

The cough syrup, sold under the brand name Coldrif Cough Syrup, was manufactured by Sresan Pharma in Tamil Nadu. According to local media reports, authorities in Tamil Nadu and Kerala have also banned the product.