Have you ever found a bag of old milk powder that is a few months old and not sure if it needs to be thrown away? Even if it’s just milk powder, you still ask yourself: Will milk powder go bad? Has the milk powder really gone bad? You may be wondering whether to use the powdered milk you find in the back of the cupboard. It’s been a few months since the “best by” date on the packaging, but if that date is just a suggestion, you’re not willing to give it up. What is the real shelf life of milk powder?
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Can Powdered Milk Go Bad?
Powdered products can go bad; no doubt. They will either go bad or be rendered useless due to the loss of quality. Both options work well with dehydrated milk.
How Long Does Powdered Milk Last?
Milk powder usually has an optimal shelf life of 12 to 24 months from the date of manufacture.
This period determines how long the manufacturer can guarantee the best quality. This is not an expiry date, and in most cases, the milk powder can still be used for another year or two.
In fact, you can even find milk powder with a shelf life of more than 20 years. These products are aimed at preppies and survivalists.
All in all, dry milk usually lasts for many years. Unlike baking powder, milk powder does not lose potency over time.
This means you should be able to successfully concoct milk from 20 years of milk powder. Maybe not as good as fresh milk, but as long as milk powder is okay, milk should be safe to drink too.
How To Tell If Powdered Milk Is Bad?
Throw away the formula if:
- The color has changed to yellow
- It smells bad, it’s funny, or it smells a little off
- Large wet lumps or mold in the package
- Insects in the pantry
If none of the above is present, the powder should be safe to use. Make some milk with it and see how it turns out.
A fresh batch of milk powder should be creamy white and smooth in texture. If it smells bad, tastes sour, or generally doesn’t taste or feel as good as it used to, throw it out.
How to Enhance the Shelf Life of Powdered Milk
Milk powder lasts longer without moisture and oxygen. If it is in its original packaging and unopened, it will last longer. If you transfer it to a storage plastic container or bag, you will effectively shorten its shelf life. The rule of thumb is to use open containers within three months.
For easy tracking, label any container with the date it was opened. Powdered milk can also be stored longer in the dark. Store it in a dark cabinet, or store it in an opaque container such as a can or mylar bag. It may seem odd to store in a clean jar on the countertop, but it won’t last that long.
Storage temperature is another important factor in the shelf life of milk powder. It is best to store it at low temperatures. A Utah State University study found that samples stored at 50°F/10°C tasted best, while samples stored at 90°F/32°C had off-flavors after only six months and tasted after two years got worse. 2
At about 70F/21C, the milk powder developed an unacceptable flavor after four years. The taste of milk powder isn’t the only thing that changes over time. The vitamins in milk decline over time, while other nutrients like protein, carbohydrates, and minerals remain the same over the years.
How To Store Powdered Milk?
You should store powdered milk in a cool, dry place away from heat.
The pantry is the perfect place, but the cupboards in the kitchen work just as well. Just make sure it’s in a place away from moisture.
After opening the package, make sure to keep it tightly sealed. If you don’t have any problems with insects, one clip should suffice.
As you know, these rules are similar to how you store other powdered foods like protein powder or cocoa powder. You should store powdered milk in a cool, dry place away from heat.
The pantry is the perfect place, but the cupboards in the kitchen work just as well. Just make sure it’s in a place away from moisture.
After opening the package, make sure to keep it tightly sealed. If you don’t have any problems with insects, one clip should suffice.
As you know, these rules are similar to how you store other powdered foods like protein powder or cocoa powder.
Can You Freeze Powdered Milk?
Frozen milk powder only makes sense if you don’t use it regularly and want to keep quality milk powder long-term.
For someone who uses dry milk regularly, they will be finishing the bag in a few years, and have limited freezer space, it may not be worth it.
When it comes to how to freeze-dried milk, it’s easy. Seal the package and place it in the freezer.
Whenever you need it, just scoop out a scoop and put the rest back in the freezer. Don’t worry about bringing frozen milk powder to room temperature before using it.
Summary
Milk powder spoils if it comes in contact with water. If you store it for too long or in harsh conditions, its flavor will degrade and you may find it doesn’t taste good enough.
Dehydrated milk can be stored for several years under the right conditions. Even if it’s been a year or two, it still makes sense to give it a try. Usually, prepared milk tastes great.
Skim milk powder retains its quality longer than whole milk powder.
Once you open the container or bag, make sure the leftovers are in an airtight container or bag. You can freeze the powder in that container which will keep the flavor longer.
Read More: Does Almond Milk Need to Be Refrigerated?