As we are in the middle of a pandemic and most often the lockdown strikes, there is a need for long shelf-life products. Milk is a perishable food and has a maximum shelf-life quality of 2 days without processing. Usually pasturization is a heat treatment process done to reduce the microbial load and increase the shelf-life of milk. It ensures all the pathogenic organisms are killed but there will be survival of heat resistant organisms. Pasturization can only provide a shelf-life of 4 days when stored under refrigerated conditions. There is a need for restocking milk on daily basis. This is where the importance of UHT ( Ultra high temperature treated) milk comes up. Here flash heat treatment is given at a temperature above 135°C. i.e. high temperature with very short contact time. It can be stored in room temperature for  6 to 9 months before opening the pack. The package has 6 layers to prevent external contamination to reach milk and also the milk is packed in aseptic condition. Outer polyethylene layer > paperboard > polyethylene > aluminium > polyethylene > polyethylene. This prevents post processing contamination, protection from sunlight, moisture etc. The high treatment provides commercial sterilization to the milk. UHT milk is available in pouches, cartons, PET bottles etc. Once opened these need to be stored in refrigerator inorder to prevent further contamination. 

UHT milk does not use preservatives for long shelf-life. It is the proper time- temperature combination, the method of packaging and the type of packaging material that provides the long life.

UHT milk undergoes homogenisation which gives the milk more uniform texture, colour and appearance. The milk is bright white in colour.

Many countries adopt UHT milk because it reduces the need for cold chain transportation facilities as it is stored in room temperature. So it can reduce the transportation cost and reduce energy needs.

UHT milk act as a balance wheel for flush season and lean season. This is because during flush season the availability of milk will be higher and the demand is lower. Despite of the demand the milk can be processed and packed by UHT process and stored for later use during the lean season.

Benefits:

✓ Reduce the number of times you need to visit a grocery store. 

✓ Safe product for consumption

✓ Long shelf-life product

✓ Higher microbiology quality

✓ Reduced cost of transportation

✓ Availability of milk all round the year

Think smart! Enjoy the benefits.