A batch of cold syrup sold in Cameroon under the brand name Naturcold contained extremely high levels of contaminated toxic ingredients, according to the World Health Organisation.
The National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control had in April warned Nigerians against the use of Naturcold, believed to have caused the deaths of six children under the age of five at a health facility in the health district of Fundong, in the North-West region of Cameroon.
In 2022, more than 300 children – mainly aged under five – in Gambia, Indonesia, and Uzbekistan died of acute kidney injury, in deaths associated with cough syrups for children with confirmed or suspected contamination with high levels of diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol.
WHO said Naturcold Syrup sold in Cameroon was first reported on 13 March, 2023, and samples of the syrup were made available to WHO on 27 June, 2023.
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It said the analysis of the syrup found that the product contained unacceptable amounts of diethylene glycol as contaminants.
“Diethylene glycol was detected in samples of Naturcold as much as 28.6 per cent. The acceptable limit for Diethylene Glycol is no more than 0.10 per cent,” WHO said.
Diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol are toxic to humans when consumed and can prove fatal.
