Radiometric and statistical multivariate for surveillance radioactivity in infant and adult powdered milk: Case of public health and food safety

Naturally occurring radionuclides in dairy products represent a potential pathway for internal radiation exposure, particularly for vulnerable populations such as infants. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of naturally occurring radionuclides in commercially available infant formula and adults milk powders in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Gamma spectrometric measurements were conducted using a NaI(Tl) detector, supported by comprehensive statistical and radiological risk analyses. Adult milk powders exhibited significantly higher activity concentrations of (²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th, ⁴⁰K) compared with infant formulas (p < 0.05); however, all measured values were substantially below international guideline limits. Estimated annual effective doses and excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR) associated with dietary intake were negligible for both consumer groups, with activity concentrations at least an order of magnitude lower than the reference levels recommended by WHO and IAEA. Statistical evaluation of inter-sample variability enhanced the robustness of exposure assessment and confirmed minimal radiological impact from consumption of the analyzed products. These findings demonstrate that powdered milk products available in KSA pose no radiological health risk to consumers under current consumption patterns. The study provides baseline data essential for food safety surveillance and regulatory compliance, reinforcing the importance of routine monitoring of dairy products to ensure continued protection of public health, particularly for infants.