Who are these options for?

Employees without access to a fridge

To keep a supply at the office before opening, check that your chosen UHT product can be stored outside the fridge and follow the instructions on its packaging. Once opened, it will need to be kept chilled.

People who only use a little milk

For a coffee, a bowl of cereal or the occasional recipe, a 25 or 50 cl carton may leave you with less to finish after opening than a 1 L carton. Choose a size that matches how much you actually use.

People with a reliable fridge

Pasteurised milk is an option if you can keep it chilled both on the way to work and at the office, before and after opening. Lactel specifies this requirement for its semi-skimmed pasteurised milk.

What should you check?

First decide where you’ll store the milk before opening, then choose a size that suits how much you’ll use once the carton is open.

Consideration What to check Who this matters to
Storing unopened cartons The UHT label and storage instructions before opening, as well as refrigeration instructions once opened. I don’t have a fridge for sealed cartons, so I want to keep milk at the office without leaving it somewhere warm. Around 36% of consumers prioritise being able to store it this way.
How much you need to finish The size of each carton, how many people will use it and the recommended time to use it after opening. If I only use a little milk with lunch, I’d rather not open a carton I won’t finish. For around 29% of consumers, reducing leftovers is the priority.
Pasteurised milk Whether you can keep it chilled during your journey and at the office, both before and after opening. I want to choose pasteurised milk and can transport and store it chilled without interruption. This is the top priority for around 21% of consumers.
Origin or ingredients The stated origin, any organic certification or the ingredients of the specific product. A stated origin, an organic product or particular ingredients matter more to me than the carton size. Around 14% of consumers put this first.

Mistakes to avoid

  • Assuming UHT and pasteurised milk can both be stored at the office

    Auchan’s UHT product can be stored at room temperature before opening, away from heat and moisture. The Lactel semi-skimmed pasteurised milk mentioned here must be kept chilled, even when unopened.

    If you’re planning to keep milk in an office cupboard, read the storage instructions for unopened cartons on the product you choose. Only bring pasteurised milk if you can keep it chilled during transport and at work.

  • Choosing 1 L without planning when you’ll finish it

    The recommended time to use milk after opening varies by product: Lactel says 3 days for its pasteurised milk mentioned here, Candia says 4 days for GrandLait and Auchan says 5 days for its UHT product.

    Work out how many drinks or recipes you’ll make within the time shown on your carton, then note the date you opened it.

  • Assuming that milk with lactase contains no milk

    The Joybuy listing for Candia Lait Viva 6 × 50 cl states “contains: milk”, even though this product contains lactase.

    To check the ingredients and allergens in a specific product, read its label rather than relying on the range name alone.

Brands and ranges to know

Lactel

The range includes semi-skimmed pasteurised milk and UHT products, including one with added vitamin D.

  • Lactel says its semi-skimmed pasteurised milk must be kept chilled before opening.
  • So it’s only suitable as an office supply if you can keep it chilled. The features of the product with added vitamin D do not apply to the whole range.

Candia

Semi-skimmed GrandLait is available in small cartons and 1 L packs, among other sizes; Lait Viva is another product from the brand.

  • For the semi-skimmed GrandLait product mentioned here, Candia specifies storage at a maximum of +6 °C and consumption within 4 days of opening.
  • The Candia Lait Viva 6 × 50 cl featured on Joybuy contains lactase and milk, so don’t assume GrandLait has the same ingredients.

Carrefour

Carrefour offers, among other products, a six-pack of 1 L cartons of its own-brand UHT sterilised semi-skimmed milk.

  • The listing for this product gives semi-skimmed milk as an ingredient.
  • Check the storage instructions on the pack you choose, particularly once it’s open.

E.Leclerc — Delisse et Bio Village

E.Leclerc offers Delisse semi-skimmed milk in packs of 6 × 1 L, 6 × 50 cl and 6 × 25 cl, as well as Bio Village products.

  • These sizes let you choose the amount in each carton to suit the number of people who’ll be using the milk.
  • If you’re looking for a particular feature, such as organic certification, check the specific product: it doesn’t apply to every pack mentioned here.

Auchan

Auchan offers a 1 L carton of UHT semi-skimmed milk.

  • According to its product information, this milk can be stored at room temperature before opening, away from heat and moisture.
  • Once opened, Auchan specifies a maximum of +6 °C and consumption within 5 days. Check the label on the product you actually receive.

Lidl — Envia

Lidl France lists Envia among its dairy brands.

  • When choosing semi-skimmed milk, check the size, treatment and storage instructions on the specific product.

Semi-skimmed milk on Joybuy

This pack of 1 L cartons is worth considering if you drink milk regularly at the office or share it with others. If you want to store unopened cartons outside the fridge, first check how the milk has been treated and read the instructions on the packaging.

C'EST QUI LE PATRON semi-skimmed milk, 6 × 1 L

C'EST QUI LE PATRON semi-skimmed milk, 6 × 1 L

This pack of six 1 L cartons could suit regular use at the office or sharing with colleagues.

If you’re storing unopened cartons without a fridge, check the heat treatment and storage instructions on the packaging. Once opened, follow the storage temperature and use-by period shown on each carton.

View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Can I keep UHT semi-skimmed milk in an office cupboard?

Yes, before opening, provided the instructions for that UHT product allow it. The Auchan UHT milk mentioned here can be stored at room temperature, away from heat and moisture. Once the carton is open, follow its refrigeration instructions.

How long can I keep semi-skimmed milk once it’s open?

Follow the time and temperature instructions on your product, as these vary by product. Lactel says 3 days for its pasteurised milk mentioned here, Candia says 4 days for GrandLait and Auchan says 5 days for its UHT product. The Ministry of the Economy advises following the manufacturer’s storage recommendations on the packaging.

Does a product containing lactase still contain milk?

Yes. The Candia Lait Viva 6 × 50 cl featured on Joybuy states “contains: milk”. To check the ingredients in another product, read its own ingredients list and allergen information.

What should I check on the packaging before bringing milk to the office?

Check how the milk has been treated, its date and the storage instructions before and after opening. If you need to keep pasteurised milk chilled, make sure you can transport it and store it at the office in line with the manufacturer’s instructions.