Background and objective: Milk adulteration has become a global issue, especially in developing and underdeveloped countries. Consumer education regarding typical adulterations and the standard of milk is crucial. The goal of the current investigation was to identify and evaluate the potential adulterants that suppliers from various sources in El- Beheira governorate added to cow and buffalo milk.

Methods: A total of 180 samples of cow and buffalo milk from various marketplaces in El- Beheira governorate (farmers, supermarkets, and collecting centers) were chosen randomly. The physicochemical analysis was performed, in addition, to the detection of non-permissible additives as well as antibiotic residues.

Results: Data showed that milk from buffalo has the highest fat content. Physicochemical analysis of the samples showed that they included adulterants. In addition to detection of antibiotic residues in 20% of samples, an additive analysis of buffalo milk from supermarkets revealed the presence of formalin and sodium bicarbonate at 66.66% and 33.33%, respectively.

Conclusion: The study's findings revealed that samples of cow and buffalo milk were contaminated with formalin, sodium carbonates, and antibiotic residue that was dangerous to consumers' health, and did not satisfy recommended standards.