Case file
Riemann Labs (Indore, Madhya Pradesh): Naturcold
Last checked 19 September 2026. Some details are still being verified.
Naturcold, a cough-and-cold syrup labelled as made by 'Fraken International (England)', a company that does not appear to exist, was found to contain 28.6 per cent diethylene glycol after children died of acute kidney injury in Cameroon. The WHO issued Medical Product Alert N°5/2023 on 19 July 2023. The Government of India subsequently told Parliament that the syrup had been traced to Riemann Labs in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, and that the firm had been directed to halt manufacturing. The final regulatory outcome for the firm is not confirmed in our sources.
Status as of 19 September 2026
WHO Medical Product Alert N°5/2023: Substandard (contaminated) syrup medicines
Scope. A record here does not by itself mean a product or company is unsafe or banned today. Regulatory actions can apply to one batch, one formulation, one period or one state. Always check the linked government document for the current position, and tell us if something is out of date. How we label records.
Affected products and batches
| Product | Batch | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Naturcold Syrup | , being verified | 28.6% diethylene glycol |
Current status
Riemann Labs was directed to stop manufacturing in 2023; whether its licence was subsequently cancelled is not confirmed in our sources as of 19 Sep 2026. Naturcold was not marketed in India.
What to do if you have this product
Step 1
Do not use Naturcold syrup of any batch.
Step 2
The product was exported; no Indian retail stock is known.
Official sources and primary records
- WHO Medical Product Alert N°5/2023: Substandard (contaminated) syrup medicinesWHOWorld Health Organization · 19 July 2023
- News