WHO alert, 19 July 2023
N°5/2023: Substandard (contaminated) syrup medicines: Naturcold, Cameroon
Last checked 20 September 2026
On 19 July 2023 the WHO warned of Naturcold, a cough-and-cold syrup identified in Cameroon, where it was linked to deaths of children from acute kidney injury. Laboratory analysis found diethylene glycol at 28.6 per cent. The product label named a manufacturer, 'Fraken International (England)', that could not be traced. The Government of India subsequently informed Parliament that the syrup had been made by Riemann Labs of Indore, Madhya Pradesh, and that the firm had been told to stop manufacturing.
India link: Government of India told Parliament the syrup was made by Riemann Labs, Indore, which was directed to halt manufacture
WHO Medical Product Alert N°5/2023: Substandard (contaminated) syrup medicines
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Products named
- Naturcold syrup
- Labelled 'Fraken International (England)'; traced by the Government of India to Riemann Labs, Indore
Official sources and primary records
- WHO
- News