Families stocking up before a trip
If the milk will need to wait before you arrive, check its storage instructions before opening. Then make sure you have room in the fridge for any opened container.
Who are these options for?
Light milk drinkers staying in rented accommodation
If you only use a little milk each day, compare the size of each container with the stated time for using it up once opened.
Anyone drawn to the word ‘filtered’
To know what you’re buying, check the product name, how it has been treated and its storage instructions rather than relying on that word alone.
What should you check before buying?
For the October half-term holiday, first identify the product you’re looking for. Then distinguish between how it can be stored unopened and how long you have to finish it once opened.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Storage before opening | The UHT label, the date shown and the storage instructions for unopened milk. | I want to stock up on milk before setting off without having to refrigerate it while it’s unopened. Around 50% of consumers would make this their top priority. |
| Amount to use after opening | The size of each container and how soon it needs to be used after opening. | When we’re staying in rented accommodation and don’t drink much milk, I’d rather be able to finish each container within the stated time. Avoiding leftovers would be a priority for around 30% of consumers. |
| Identifying the product | The product name, how it has been treated and its temperature instructions; ‘filtered’ is no substitute for a UHT label. | When faced with an ambiguous description, I want to know whether I’m buying milk, how it has been treated and how to store it. Around 20% of consumers would put this first. |
Common mix-ups to avoid
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Assuming opened UHT milk can be left at room temperature
Storage instructions for unopened milk no longer apply once the container has been opened. Lactel says one of its UHT products should be used within three days of opening; Auchan gives four days for its 50 cl UHT bottle.
Keep opened milk in the fridge and follow the time limit and temperature shown on the container you buy.
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Choosing a large multipack without considering the size of each bottle
A pack of 6 × 1 L and a 50 cl bottle won’t suit the same rate of consumption during a stay.
Consider the size of each bottle in relation to the number of people, how you plan to use it and the time allowed after opening.
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Confusing ‘filtered’ milk, UHT milk and lightly salted butter
The word ‘filtered’ alone isn’t enough to tell you how milk should be stored. Président also sells a block of lightly salted butter, which isn’t a milk product.
Check the product name, how it has been treated and its storage instructions before comparing sizes.
Brands and retailers to consider
Carrefour
Carrefour’s range includes semi-skimmed milk, including a 50 cl bottle labelled lactose-free.
- You can compare the size and variety to find an option that suits how you plan to use it during your stay.
- Check the treatment and storage instructions for each product.
Auchan
Auchan offers UHT semi-skimmed milk in 50 cl and 1 L bottles, as well as in packs of 6 × 1 L.
- These sizes let you choose the number and size of containers to suit how much milk you expect to use.
- The 50 cl bottle says to refrigerate at a maximum of +6 °C and use within four days of opening. Check the instructions on the product you choose.
Lactel
Lactel’s semi-skimmed milk range is available in 25 cl, 50 cl and 1 L sizes, as well as in a 1 L carton.
- These sizes let you choose a container that suits the length of your stay.
- For its organic UHT semi-skimmed milk carton, Lactel says to keep it chilled at a maximum of +6 °C and use within three days of opening. This time limit doesn’t apply to all its products.
Joybuy products related to this topic
Related products will be available soon.
Frequently asked questions
Can unopened UHT semi-skimmed milk be kept out of the fridge?
Yes, if the product’s instructions allow it to be stored at room temperature before opening. Lactel says this applies to its organic UHT semi-skimmed milk carton; for one of its 1 L UHT products, Auchan advises keeping it away from heat and moisture. Also follow the date shown on the packaging.
How long can you keep milk once it’s opened?
Follow the time limit shown on the container you buy and keep it in the fridge as instructed. Lactel says its organic UHT semi-skimmed milk carton should be used within three days, while Auchan gives four days for its 50 cl UHT bottle. These time limits aren’t interchangeable.
Is pasteurised milk suitable for storage without refrigeration?
No. Pasteurised milk isn’t suitable for storage without refrigeration. Lactel says its pasteurised milk is sold in the chilled aisle and should be kept chilled after purchase. Follow the packaging instructions during transport and your stay.
Is the word ‘filtered’ enough to identify long-life milk?
No. It doesn’t replace the product’s treatment and storage information. Check the product name, whether it’s labelled UHT, the date and the stated temperatures before planning to store it for your holiday.