New Delhi: The Union Health Ministry on Friday ruled out toxic contamination of cough syrups as the reason for deaths of children in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan as initially suspected, but maintained that investigations are on to determine the cause behind the tragedy.

Medicine samples collected by the official probe team were tested for common contaminants like diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol (DEG and EG) that are known to cause kidney injuries.

“As per the test results, none of the samples contained DEG or EG. The Madhya Pradesh State Food and Drug Administration also tested three samples and confirmed absence of DEG/EG,” a Union Health Ministry official said.

The Director General of Health Services in Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, on Friday issued an advisory to

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