For a top-up shop, choose semi-skimmed milk if you want less fat than in whole milk, or skimmed milk if you want to cut down further. Whole milk is a better fit if you prefer a richer flavour, as described by the Ministry of Agriculture. According to Manger Bouger, all three fat levels provide the same amount of calcium. Then choose a pack size that suits how much you’ll use once it’s opened.
If you’re swapping whole milk for something else on a top-up shop, compare semi-skimmed and skimmed milk according to how much you want to cut down. Manger Bouger says the level of skimming does not affect the amount of calcium in the milk.
If the milk is for coffee or a recipe where you want a richer flavour, whole milk is still an option. The Ministry of Agriculture describes it as the richest of these three types of milk in both fat and flavour.
If you don’t open milk often, check the volume of each carton, not just the total amount in the multipack. The Lactel UHT products checked need to be kept chilled after opening and used within three days.
Choose this if: you prefer the richer flavour that the Ministry of Agriculture associates with whole milk.
Bear in mind: it isn’t the right choice if your priority is reducing fat.
Choose this if: you want to reduce your fat intake compared with whole milk, but don’t want to switch to skimmed.
Bear in mind: it still contains fat, so compare the nutritional values of the product you choose.
Choose this if: reducing fat matters more to you than the richer flavour of whole milk.
Bear in mind: it won’t suit the same taste preference as whole milk.
| Consideration | What to check | Who it’s for |
|---|---|---|
| Fat | Check whether it’s labelled whole, semi-skimmed or skimmed, then look at the fat content per 100 ml. | I need some cow’s milk to tide me over, but want less fat than in whole milk. This is the top priority for around 42% of shoppers. |
| Taste and cooking | Compare the level of skimming with how you plan to use the milk, especially in drinks and recipes. | I prefer the richer flavour of whole milk in my coffee or cooking; around 25% of shoppers put this preference first. |
| Pack size and storage | Check the volume of each carton and the storage instructions for after opening. | If I only use a little milk at a time, I’d rather not leave a large carton open. Pack size is the main priority for around 17% of shoppers. |
| Local availability | Check which product and pack size are available at your chosen shop or for your selected collection option. | When I need milk unexpectedly, I want to find the right type and size quickly; around 16% of shoppers prioritise availability. |
Among the Lactel products enriched with vitamin D that we compared, whole milk contains 3,6 g of fat per 100 ml, compared with 1,5 g in semi-skimmed milk. Lactel lists its skimmed milk in this range as 0% fat.
Read the product name and nutritional information per 100 ml rather than relying on the colour of the packaging.
A multipack may be useful for stocking up, but the size of each carton may not suit how much you use once it’s open. The Lactel UHT products checked need to be kept chilled and used within three days of opening.
Compare the size of the cartons and the storage instructions on the milk you’re planning to buy.
Auchan says that a product’s composition may vary depending on the selected Drive store and the date of purchase. So the details for the milk you’ll actually receive matter more than a general description of the range.
Before placing your order, check your selected shop, the product on offer and its label.
Lactel’s products enriched with vitamin D make it easy to compare all three levels of skimming within the same range.
GrandLait whole milk and GrandLait Bio semi-skimmed milk are two separate products to consider, depending on the level of skimming you’re looking for.
Carrefour products let you compare whole, semi-skimmed and skimmed milk, depending on your selected shop.
Delisse whole and semi-skimmed milk products let you compare two different levels of skimming.
A 1 L carton of Auchan semi-skimmed UHT milk can be a useful point of comparison for a top-up shop.
These semi-skimmed and skimmed milks are options if you want less fat than in whole milk. For a top-up shop, also compare the size of each carton and the total volume in the multipack.
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A semi-skimmed option if you want to cut down on fat compared with whole milk. Check that the total volume in the multipack suits your top-up needs.
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A skimmed milk to consider if reducing fat is your priority. This multipack is a sizeable purchase for a top-up shop, so also check the label if calcium content is a factor in your choice.
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A semi-skimmed option if you’d rather stock up than buy a single small carton. For a one-off top-up, consider the multipack volume and check the label for after-opening instructions.
No. Manger Bouger says whole, semi-skimmed and skimmed milk all provide the same amount of calcium, while their fat content varies. Check the nutritional information for the product you choose, especially if it’s fortified.
Choose semi-skimmed to cut down compared with whole milk, or skimmed if you want to go further. In the Lactel range enriched with vitamin D that we compared, the brand lists 1,5 g of fat per 100 ml for semi-skimmed and 3,6 g for whole milk, while its skimmed milk is listed as 0% fat.
Follow the instructions on the carton you choose, especially after opening. The Lactel UHT products checked should then be kept chilled at no more than 6 °C and used within three days.