The weather is changing, it’s getting colder. It’s October now, and if the rains are any indication, we can assume that this winter is going to be a long one. As the seasons shift, many children and adults will inevitably catch a cold. Those who have experienced parenthood know that coughs often follow a cold. Over-the-counter cough syrups quickly become the ultimate go-to remedy. Every household will buy a bottle or two, and manufacturers of these syrups must be making a lot of money, thanks to the weather. But this is where it gets disturbing. Reports have emerged of children dying after being administered contaminated cough syrups.
Following these alarming incidents, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has directed drug controllers of all states and Union Territories to ensure strict testing and monitoring of medicines before they reach the market. The directive comes after over 20 child deaths in Madhya Pradesh linked to Coldrif cough syrup, which reportedly caused kidney failure in affected children. The Manipur government has already banned two brands of cough syrup, Relife and Resipfresh TR, after tests revealed contamination with diethylene glycol, a highly toxic chemical that can cause kidney failure and death. Several other states, including Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu, have banned these syrups, while advisories were issued to Puducherry and Odisha to remove them from the market.
Back in our newsroom, working late into the night, black tea remains our constant companion. No night passes without rounds of the all-time Naga favorite, sugarless pika-cha. First-timers may not find it palatable, but those who love black tea cannot do without it. Caffeine in the tea helps improve alertness, concentration, and mood, making it a perfect stimulant for long nights in the newsroom.
Yet, even here, we notice oddities. There is something odd about the latest pack of CTC tea leaves we just bought. A smaller quantity produces a much darker black tea than usual, yet it tastes like plain water. We’ve begun to wonder whether the color comes from an additive or food coloring. It simply doesn’t taste like the black tea we’re used to having every night. It is unusually dark but tastes nothing like pika-cha.
These incidents are a stark reminder that companies often prioritize profit over consumer safety. Legal protections exist, but individual vigilance is essential, especially when it comes to what we put into our bodies.
