Milk and dairy products are essential sources of nutrition, yet their safety may be compromised by heavy metal contamination from environmental and industrial sources. Toxic elements such as cadmium, lead, mercury, and arsenic are non-biodegradable, bioaccumulative, and linked to severe health effects including organ damage, developmental toxicity, and carcinogenicity. Global and Indian studies reveal that contamination levels are generally below regulatory limits, though localized risks persist. In this article sources, occurrence, health impacts, preventive measures, and advanced analytical approaches to ensure the safety and quality of milk and dairy products are described.
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