Heavy metal residues in milk and some dairy products with insight into their health risk assessment and the role of Lactobacillus rhamnosusin reducing the lead and cadmium load in cheese

•Hg, As, Pb, Cd, Cr, and Cu were detected in buffalo milk and dairy products.•Milk powder and Kareish cheese showed the highest residual levels of heavy metals.•The maximum limit of Pb and Cd is exceeded in 50% or more of the samples tested•Lactobacillus rhamnosusprobiotic eliminated more than 74% of Pb and Cd from cheese•Hazard indices indicated no health risk from heavy metals by eating dairies tested