How long does UHT/Long life milk last once opened? | You Ask, We Answer (2024)

Last updated 21/03/2024

(UHT) stands for ‘ultra-heat treatment’ milk – also known as long-life milk. This product is heated to 140°C for two seconds, destroying any trace of harmful bacteria and other micro-organisms, which helps to extend its shelf life. It is then packaged in a sterile container, ready to be enjoyed.

If not opened and stored in dry, ambient conditions with low light, like your typical pantry, it can last up to nine months. However, it’s always a good idea to check the ‘best before’ date on pack to ensure the milk is safe to enjoy.

Once opened it needs to be refrigerated and can be used normally within seven days.

To track this safely, mark the carton with the date it was opened and discard after seven days.

Long-life milk is available in full-fat, reduced-fat, low-fat, modified and skim.

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How long does UHT/Long life milk last once opened? | You Ask, We Answer (2024)

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How long does UHT/Long life milk last once opened? | You Ask, We Answer? ›

UHT

UHT
Ultra-high temperature processing (UHT), ultra-heat treatment, or ultra-pasteurization is a food processing technology that sterilizes liquid food by heating it above 140 °C (284 °F) – the temperature required to kill bacterial endospores – for two to five seconds.
https://en.wikipedia.org › Ultra-high-temperature_processing
or 'long-life' milk typically lasts six to nine months in the pantry unopened. Once opened, it should be refrigerated and used within seven days.

How long can UHT milk last after opening? ›

UHT (Ultra-High Temperature) milk has a longer shelf life compared to traditional milk due to its pasteurization process. Once opened, UHT milk is typically good for 7-10 days when stored properly in the refrigerator at or below 40°F (4°C).

What is the shelf life of ultra-high temperature milk? ›

Of these, ultra-high temperature (UHT) milk has the highest shelf life. The shelf life of UHT milk is 12 months at the ambient temperature. UHT processing technology sterilizes milk by heating it above 135°C (275°F) for 2 to 5 seconds, killing spores in milk.

How long does milk stay good after opening? ›

Milk can be refrigerated seven days; buttermilk, about two weeks. Milk or buttermilk may be frozen for about three months. Sour cream is safe in the refrigerator about one to three weeks but doesn't freeze well. For more information, you may call the FDA toll-free at 888-723-3366 or go to FDA's website.

How long can sealed UHT milk products be stored without refrigeration? ›

The combination of UHT pasteurization and bottling sterilization ensures that the milk lasts up to six months on the shelf without refrigeration.

Can bacteria grow on UHT milk? ›

Bacteria grow more quickly in regular pasteurized milk than in UHT milk because the latter uses higher temperatures, thus killing more bacteria. Also, UHT milk is sealed in sterile, airtight containers.)

How to tell if UHT milk is bad? ›

UHT is only longlife as long as you keep it selaed and unopened. Once it's open it'll go off as quickly as fresh milk. You can tell if it's off by smelling it - it'll smell sour.... and sometimes go into flecks or lumps when added to a hot drink.

What are the disadvantages of UHT milk? ›

Disadvantage of UHT milk: 1. Milk quality issues / Alteration of flavor – Complaints include a “cooked” flavor, a stale/oxidized flavor, bitter taste due to peptides generated by heat-stable proteases, or a rancid/acid/sour flavor due to residual bacterial enzyme activity.

Which milk takes the longest to spoil? ›

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.

Can you freeze UHT milk? ›

Shelf-stable milk: Shelf-stable milk has undergone ultra-high temperature processing (UHT) to extend its shelf-life, so it is unlikely to need freezing. Like other kinds of milk, people can freeze shelf-stable milk, but it is likely to separate after thawing.

How long does opened milk last without refrigeration? ›

How Long Can You Leave Milk Out of the Fridge? You can leave milk out of the fridge at room temperature for up to two hours, according to the USDA. “Leaving milk out too long can potentially lead to foodborne illness,” Amidor explains. “Pathogenic microorganisms like to grow in temperatures between 40 to 140 degrees.

Can you drink expired milk if it smells fine? ›

Milk can often be consumed after its expiration date, generally for up to three days for opened milk and up to seven days for unopened milk. Before consuming, it's best to look for signs of spoilage. You can tell if milk is bad by checking the smell, color, consistency and taste.

Does cottage cheese go bad? ›

In fact, the Department of Health and Human Services says cottage cheese that's kept refrigerated at the safe temperature of 40º F or lower should be consumed within two weeks, if unopened, and a mere one week once opened. But that doesn't mean you have to toss it out the day it expires.

How long can you keep long life milk once opened? ›

Long life milk can be stored for up to six months in a pantry, but once opened it needs to be refrigerated. Then it can be used normally like fresh milk within seven days. You might also see long life milk referred to as "ultra heat treatment (UHT)" milk.

What is the maximum shelf life of UHT milk? ›

UHT or 'long-life' milk typically lasts six to nine months in the pantry unopened. Once opened, it should be refrigerated and used within seven days. (UHT) stands for 'ultra-heat treatment' milk – also known as long-life milk.

What is the major defect that occurs in UHT milk during storage? ›

Defects include bitterness, gelation, sedimentation, and fat separation. This chapter explores the several changes that occur in the proteins in UHT milk during both processing and storage and discusses ways in which the adverse changes can be minimized or prevented.

Can ultra pasteurized milk go bad? ›

The equipment it's processed on is carefully sanitized, but it's still exposed. Any bacteria that may have survived this process is kept tame when refrigerated (below 45°F, which your fridge at home should definitely be well below) and won't cause your milk to spoil within the span of the usual use-by date.

Why can UHT milk be kept for years? ›

The ultra-high heat treatment used in the production of UHT milk kills all microorganisms. The milk is then packed in an aseptic package that protects it from entrance of any microorganisms, making it safe for months without need of refrigeration.

Why does UHT milk not need refrigeration? ›

UHT stands for Ultra High-Temperature Pasteurization (also referred to as Ultra Pasteurization or UP) and means that milk is heated to about 280 degrees F for 2 seconds, which kills more bacteria (both good and bad) than traditional pasteurization therefore giving the milk a much longer shelf life before it spoils.

Is UHT milk healthier than fresh milk? ›

UHT milks are really just as nutritious as fresh milk with a longer shelf life; you can even store them at room temperature or in the refrigerator if your child prefers drinking them chilled. However, do take note that it should be refrigerated and consumed within five days after opening.

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