The mystery of milk on a shelf

Have you ever seen milk on the grocery store shelf and wondered why it is not in the refrigerated section? It doesn’t seem right — milk is always supposed to be refrigerated! But there it is — you see it with your own eyes! Does it come from cows like the milk in the refrigerators? Does it taste the same? Does it have the same nutrients?

To explain the mystery of the milk on the shelf, let me give you some background information. All milk in Colorado stores has been pasteurized, which kills harmful bacteria that may be contaminating the milk, by quickly heating the milk to 161 degrees Fahrenheit for 15-20 seconds before packaging. This doesn’t affect the nine essential nutrients in your glass of milk, nor does it affect the taste of the milk, but this process can extend how long milk can sit in your refrigerator by upwards of 16 days! However, there are still some bacteria in the milk that will cause spoilage – as you know if you have ever tasted a glass of milk that is a few days past its prime.

The shelf-stable milk sold in your grocery store is called UHT milk, which stands for ultra-heat treatment. This means that the milk (that does indeed come from cows) has been heated to a higher temperature (280 degrees Fahrenheit) than pasteurized milk that must be stored in the refrigerator. Applying additional heat to milk to ultra-heat treat, or ultra pasteurize, kills more bacteria in the milk, extending milk’s shelf life up to 40 days. The additional bacteria destroyed may not be harmful to you but can cause the milk to spoil more quickly. UHT milk is a great option for consumers who are looking for a longer shelf life on milk. Just like in milk that must be refrigerated, the nine essential nutrients milk offers are not affected by the higher temperatures. UHT and pasteurized milk are both nutritious options – the only difference may be in the taste. Some consumers notice a different caramelized flavor with UHT milk, since it is heated to a much higher temperature.

So the mystery of milk on the shelf is solved — UHT milk is a great option for athletes after a long practice because they can be in your bag or locker all day and still are safe to drink. Chocolate milk is great option for athletes after exercise because it has nine essential nutrients, tastes great, and offers the protein, carbohydrates, and fat that create the perfect post-workout combination – case closed!

Athletes can train harder and perform better with proper nutrition. Visit WesternDairyAssociation.org to read more about milk as an exercise recovery beverage and learn how to eat for peak athletic performance.