Why does organic milk last so much longer than regular milk? (2024)

If you’ve ever shopped for milk, you’ve no doubt noticed what our questioner has: While regular milk expires within about a week or sooner, organic milk lasts much longer—as long as a month.

So what is it about organic milk that makes it stay fresh so long?

Actually, it turns out that it has nothing to do with the milk being organic. All "organic" means is that the farm the milk comes from does not use antibiotics to fight infections in cows or hormones to stimulate more milk production.

Organic milk lasts longer because producers use a different process to preserve it. According to the Northeast Organic Dairy Producers Alliance, the milk needs to stay fresh longer because organic products often have to travel farther to reach store shelves since it is not produced throughout the country.

The process that gives the milk a longer shelf life is called ultrahigh temperature (UHT) processing or treatment, in which milk is heated to 280 degrees Fahrenheit (138 degrees Celsius) for two to four seconds, killing any bacteria in it.

Compare that to pasteurization, the standard preservation process. There are two types of pasteurization: "low temperature, long time," in which milk is heated to 145 degrees F (63 degrees C) for at least 30 minutes*, or the more common "high temperature, short time," in which milk is heated to roughly 160 degrees F (71 degrees C) for at least 15 seconds.

The different temperatures hint at why UHT-treated milk lasts longer: Pasteurization doesn’t kill all bacteria in the milk, just enough so that you don't get a disease with your milk mustache. UHT, on the other hand, kills everything.

Retailers typically give pasteurized milk an expiration date of four to six days. Ahead of that, however, was up to six days of processing and shipping, so total shelf life after pasteurization is probably up to two weeks. Milk that undergoes UHT doesn’t need to be refrigerated and can sit on the shelf for up to six months.

Regular milk can undergo UHT, too. The process is used for the room-temperature Parmalat milk found outside the refrigerator case and for most milk sold in Europe.

So why isn’t all milk produced using UHT?

One reason is that UHT-treated milk tastes different. UHT sweetens the flavor of milk by burning some of its sugars (caramelization). A lot of Americans find this offensive—just as they are leery of buying nonrefrigerated milk. Europeans, however, don’t seem to mind.

UHT also destroys some of the milk’s vitamin content—not a significant amount—and affects some proteins, making it unusable for cheese.

There are, of course, lots of reasons people buy organic milk. But if it's the long shelf life you're after, I would recommend you buy nonorganic UHT milk and avoid being charged double.

*Correction (6/6/08): This sentence originally said "milk is heated to 145 degrees F (63 degrees C) for at least 30 seconds." (The error occurred during editing by the staff of ScientificAmerican.com and is not the fault of the expert.)

Why does organic milk last so much longer than regular milk? (2024)

FAQs

Why does organic milk stay fresher than regular milk? ›

Organic milk, however, is ultra-pasteurized; it goes through a process called ultrahigh temperature (UHT), where the milk is heated to 280 degrees for two seconds, long enough to kill off both the harmful bacteria in regular milk and any other microorganisms or spores that might promote spoilage.

Why is the shelf life so long on organic milk? ›

Organic milk lasts longer as producers use Ultrahigh temperature (UHT) processing to increase it's shelf life. Ultrahigh temperature processing or treatment is applied to help with the journey before reaching stores. The milk is heated to 138 degrees Celsius for two to four seconds.

Is organic milk better than regular milk? ›

By choosing organic milk, you can get the nutritional benefits of milk without exposing your family to chemical contaminants. Numerous studies have found that organic milk has a higher nutritional content, and even more healthy omega-3 fatty acids, and more disease-fighting antioxidants than non-organic milk.

Why does grass fed milk last longer? ›

According to Scientific American, organic milk lasts longer thanks to the process of ultrahigh temperature (UHT) treatment. The ultrahigh temperature treatment is a process of preserving milk in which milk is heated to 280 degrees Fahrenheit for two to four seconds.

What kind of milk lasts longest? ›

Buy aseptic milk, and your carton will last even longer—anywhere from 30 to 90 days when stored properly and unopened.

What alternative to milk has the longest shelf life? ›

The best thing about rice milk is its long shelf life: it lasts a good six months to a year before it expires, so you can easily buy it in bulk, refrigerate the one you're using and leave the extras in your pantry. Best in: tea and coffee.

Why is milk not refrigerated in Mexico? ›

The boxed milk in Mexico is heated by way of the Ultra-High Temperature Pasteurization (UHT) method. This is why the milk is safe to keep at room temperature when it is in an airtight and light-sealed container.

Why does organic milk taste different? ›

The high heat in the ultra pasteurization of organic milk causes the sugars to crystallize and proteins to denature writes Up Thirst. The cooked sugars can be tasted in organic milk and give it a tan color, according to The Kitchn. Huffington Post did a blind taste test among 23 of their editors.

How long is organic milk good for in the fridge? ›

But you should consume all milk within 7 to 10 days after opening. Read more about organic fruits and veggies, and test your organic IQ.

What is the healthiest milk for humans? ›

Low- or non-fat dairy — Skim or 1% milk contains all the protein, vitamins and minerals that whole milk contains, but it has much less saturated fat. This type of milk is typically more heart-healthy than full-fat milk.

Is organic milk better for your stomach? ›

Plus, thanks to its chemical structure - it's more suitable for those with sensitive stomachs. Organic milk contains conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), which is a an omega-6 fatty acid that boosts the immune system and can help to tackle high cholesterol.

Is organic milk inflammatory? ›

Most research suggests that milk and dairy products do not promote inflammation.

Why does Costco organic milk last so long? ›

Organic milk lasts longer because producers use a different process to preserve it. According to the Northeast Organic Dairy Producers Alliance, the milk needs to stay fresh longer because organic products often have to travel farther to reach store shelves since it is not produced throughout the country.

How did they keep milk fresh in the old days? ›

Slate and Teracotta Fridges

In temperate climates, the cooling properties of slate were sufficient to keep cheeses and milk at a low temperature for every bit as long as in our modern refrigerators. The victorians also made use of terracotta pots that had been soaked in water.

How do you prolong the shelf life of milk? ›

A rapid heating and cooling of milk significantly reduces the amount of harmful bacteria, extending its shelf life by several weeks. New research shows that increasing the temperature of milk by 10 degrees Celsius for less than a second eliminates more than 99 percent of the bacteria left behind after pasteurization.

What milk spoils the slowest? ›

We took the question to UAMS Director of Nutrition Tonya Johnson, who said that chocolate milk and whole milk actually tend to have a longer shelf life. The sugar in chocolate milk reduces the growth of bacteria and, typically, the higher the fat content, the longer it takes milk to spoil.

What kind of milk doesn't expire? ›

Ultra-Pasteurization

Shelf stable milk is ultra-high temperature pasteurized, which will be labeled on the package as “UHT” or “ultra-pasteurized” milk.

Why is my milk spoiling so fast? ›

The longer milk is exposed to the heat of a kitchen, the faster bacteria will grow. Help your milk last longer by storing it at the back of the fridge on a shelf near the middle or bottom. Hot air rises, so upper shelves may be a few degrees warmer than lower ones.

Why does milk not expire for months? ›

How does this milk not spoil? The quick answer has to do with two different pasteurization techniques. The milk either undergoes high-temperature, short-time, (HTST) pasteurization or ultra-high temperature pasteurization (UHT) for a longer term shelf life.

Can I drink unrefrigerated long life milk? ›

UHT milk does not require refrigeration until it has been opened. Once opened, it is recommended that the milk should be refrigerated and consumed quickly like any other perishable food.

Can you drink expired milk if it smells fine? ›

Your sense of smell and taste are your best friends here, and they'll give you the best indication of whether the milk is ok to drink – if it doesn't smell, look strange (lumpy or separated), and it tastes just fine, then you're okay to drink it.

Why do Americans refrigerate eggs? ›

The answer has to do with bacteria: Salmonella. In the United States, it's more than a food safety recommendation that eggs be refrigerated – it's the law. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) determined that the best way to fight Salmonella contamination is by sanitizing the eggs before they reach the consumer.

Why can I drink milk in Europe but not the US? ›

Turns out, the major difference lies in the method by which milk is processed. Almost all milk is pasteurized, meaning it undergoes extreme heat in order to kill illness-causing bacteria. The U.S. and Canada use a pasteurizing technique called high-temperature short-time pasteurization, or HTST.

Why are humans not supposed to drink cow milk? ›

Lactose intolerance

Many individuals lack the proper digestive enzymes—known as lactase—that would help them process cow's milk, making them lactose intolerant. Many studies have found links between milk consumption and increased risks of ovarian cancer.

Why is organic milk yellow? ›

Beta-carotene is a pigment found in plants that gives yellow and orange fruits and vegetables their color. MYSTERY SOLVED! BETA CAROTENE IS WHAT IS MAKING YOUR MILK YELLOW! As you can see the health benefits of raw grass-fed milk are many and these are just the tip of the iceberg!

Why is organic milk bitter? ›

Bitter milk is ascribed most commonly to specific bacteria, of which several species have been described by various investi- gators (1). Less commonly a diseased condition of the udder (2) or the eating of certain weeds, such as rag weed, causes the milk to be bitter.

What is the tastiest alternative to milk? ›

6 Best Substitutes for Milk
  • Oat milk. Oat milk is so creamy, foams well (hello, matcha), and tastes slightly sweet (in a grain, not sugar, kind of way). ...
  • Nut milks. Nut milks now come in a dizzying array of flavors and sweetness levels. ...
  • Soy Milk. ...
  • Hemp Milk. ...
  • Coconut Milk. ...
  • Rice Milk.
May 15, 2020

Can you drink expired organic milk? ›

But as long as milk has been properly refrigerated, it should be still drinkable up to a week past the date label — and maybe up to two weeks, depending on the temperature of your refrigerator. Generally, as long as the milk smells and looks OK, it's probably still safe to consume.

Can you drink organic milk after expiration date? ›

Expiration dates relate to milk quality, not safety. Milk is generally safe to consume after the expiration date for at least a couple of days. People will typically be able to tell when milk is bad, as the smell and appearance indicate any spoilage.

How long can you drink expired organic milk? ›

While there are no set recommendations, most research suggests that as long as it's been stored properly, unopened milk generally stays good for 5–7 days past its listed date, while opened milk lasts at least 2–3 days past this date (3, 8 , 9).

What happens when you stop drinking milk? ›

Cutting out dairy means you get less B12, which is important within your immune system and helping your body fight off bacteria. Harju-Westman says you can combat this by taking a B12 supplement and eating foods fortified with the vitamin.

What does Islam say about milk? ›

In Holy Book, milk is manifestation of cleanness, freshness, truth and life- giving and revitalizing symbol. Both milk and honey is manifestation of fertility and frequency of bleedings. In this verse, the Holy Quran has said: “Milk is produced from the food digested in body.

Can you drink milk straight from a cow? ›

Raw milk is milk that has not been pasteurized to kill harmful bacteria. Raw milk can be contaminated with harmful germs that can make you very sick. In fact, raw milk is one of the riskiest foods. People who get sick from raw milk might have many days of diarrhea, stomach cramping, and vomiting.

Is organic milk easier on the stomach? ›

Plus, thanks to its chemical structure - it's more suitable for those with sensitive stomachs. Organic milk contains conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), which is a an omega-6 fatty acid that boosts the immune system and can help to tackle high cholesterol.

Why does fat free milk spoil faster than whole milk? ›

The different spoilage behaviours can be largely explained by greater proteolvsis in skim milk than in whole milk, caused by higher production of protease and greater susceptibility of the protein to protease attack.

Why does filtered milk last longer? ›

Because its filtration process significantly removes impurities from the product, microfiltered milk has a longer shelf life than regular milk when unopened. And, after it's been opened, the product retains its freshness for 7 to 10 days.

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