[rokitoes]

I have two cases of shelf-stable milk that expire in August. It's the Borden brand that they heat up to super high temperatures during the pasteurization process. My question is "how long past the expiration date is this milk good?"

 

[papadoc1000]

All manufacturers cover their butts, so it should last at least a couple of months longer. The biggest question to shelf life is how you store it. Light and heat are big enemies. If it's an opaque bag or the case is opaque, you're covered. But if it's kept in a room that is 50, 70, or 90 degrees, it will make a huge difference. Just a recommendation that you go ahead and use it up and then replace it.

 

[MadPrepper]

I have two cases of shelf-stable milk that expire in August. It's the Borden brand that they heat up to super high temperatures during the pasteurization process. My question is "how long past the expiration date is this milk good?"

Not your mom's pasteurisation. It's been nuked with gamma rays. I would treat it like any other canned good expiration date. For me another couple years is OK.

 

[MikeK]

I have no idea how long shelf stable milk stores for. I haven't had good luck with any soft packaged food product for long term though. They're not cans and they just don't seem to last as well as cans. Maybe there's info on the net about their actual lifespan?

 

[prankster]

I thought "shelf stable" implied an item would be good virtually forever.

 

[stevemurfy]

If by shelf stable - you mean the stuff that is UHT (Ultra High Temperature) I think you are good for a long while past the expiration date. I get my stuff from Gossners - http://www.gossner.com/home/gossner/admin.php?do=ipage&pageid=3&mid=2


According to the staff at Gossners, they are required by the FDA to put the date on it although they know that it will last much, much longer.

BTW, they ship this stuff to our Troops in Iraq, and Afghanistan.

FWIW

 

[Jeffrey]

I thought "shelf stable" implied an item would be good virtually forever.

Noooooo, the expiration date keeps the manufacturer from being sued if it goes bad during, so they keep the date nice and short for "normal" storage. If you have the room, keep that shelf stable milk in the fridge and it should last 3-4x longer. Freezing it would last even longer, but dairy products dont like to be frozen.

Powdered form is best to store, but usually the nastiest to drink. Store powdered milk in mylar with oxygen absorbers for real long-term storage. If you want liquid shelf-stable milk, evaporated (canned) milk is cheaper.

 

[steele80]

I once drank a box of milk three years past its printed date just to see if it could be done. It was packaged in the foil type box. Tasted OK. Didn't get sick either. The packaged soy milk in the foil boxes last even longer. I once drank a box over five years old. I could barely tell the difference between it and a new one.

 

[hippytreehugger4ev]

It should be fine for at least another couple of months, maybe you should start using it for cooking to get it used up.

 

[showpare]

I use it at 6 months past, no issues. We will have some a year out this winter. I try to buy two a month and rotate them late. I have used the milk for potato soup, mashed potatoes, fudge, pudding, etc. The end of the month calls for potato soup; it's tradition. I am paid once a month and times were really tight a few years ago.

I tried it on cereal and by the glass and it's got a weird after-taste.

 

[Dondiego124]

Freezing it would last even longer, but dairy products dont like to be frozen.

I had a neighboor who's ma would buy milk cheap and freeze it for later, and they were ok after you thawed them no after taste or nothing, the fat that was homoginized did sometimes seperate but you just had to shake it up like juice. oh yeah almost forgot we freeze yoplait on sticks for the kid in the summer you just peel off the plastic. I like strawberry.

 

[MikeK]

I thought "shelf stable" implied an item would be good virtually forever.

It just implies that it requires no refrigeration during it's shelf life. Some shelf stable items last a very long time and some don't. Velveeta is shelf stable, but I've had it turn to brown goo in it's pack a couple years after expiration.

 

[Gallo Pazzesco]

In Europe it's about all you see. And it lasts a long time if kept in a cool, dark, place.

We had some in our guest house that we forgot about in the fridge, unopened. It sat there for almost six years and none of our guests ever mentioned that it was in there.

It was still good when we tried it.

We had some down in the cellar that was well over two years past date and it had turned a little yellow, but it was still good milk.

 

[ReadyMom]

I've been keeping this in my storage for quite a few years, now. The one thing that I noticed is that is seems to get thick at the bottom of the box. I'll have to go get another 'old' one and open it to see again, now.

I've been known to rotate my boxes out by adding it to our 'regular' gallons because our kids say they can tell the difference. I can't. I think it tastes great.

Did you know that the DOLLAR STORE is a great place to get this from?? -k

 

[riverguy]

What about powdered milk? Does powdered milk taste the same as regular milk?

 

[testhop]

NO

What about powdered milk? Does powdered milk taste the same as regular milk?

NO IT DONT
but in times that shtf it will do .

 

[MadPrepper]

NO IT DONT
but in times that shtf it will do .

Absolutely correct! It doesn't taste like skim, 1%, or 2%....it's a lot better. The other tastes watery in comparison.

It's all we drink around here....except when we run out, and then the shtf for sure trying to figure out when we can get to the cannery. I just noticed today when I made a gallon that we only have a 1.5 month supply (6 gallons) left. Times are a little tight, but I hope we can go get another 100 lbs soon. I would love to get 500 lbs stored.

I think it's all in how you mix it. We mix ours richer than the directions. About 1 lb (3 cups) solid to a gallon.

Store what you eat and eat what you store.

 

[kingsman]

I don't know about shelf stabalized milk, but I know I wouldn't keep sweetened condensed milk more than a year past the expiration date. It seems to solidify over time.

 

[Rockyriver]

Here is some shelf milk I got at Lowes foods.
I placed mine in an extra fridge we got out in the garage, I figure storing it in the cold will keep it fresher longer.
Yikes this stuff cost $2.69 a quart !!!!!
I did not see whole milk, I only saw 2% and 1% milk.

 

[paulareds]

gossners milk is what I buy from the dollar tree here in indy. My son graduated from Fort Benning couple yrs back and he told me about it, Just by chance I stumbled across it at dollar tree and Ive been stocking it ever since. Comes in real handy when I dont have an extra 3.00 or the inclination to run to store. every 2 weeks I go and buy about 10 cartons.. Now Ive got it built up from Oct up thru feb of 2012 and hopefully when I go back their boxes will be dated out further. Perfect for baking and cooking. son drinks it out of the box. As some things in life its an acquired taste. I still prefer regular milk