Who are these options for?

Anyone looking for microfiltered milk

Whether you’re making a béchamel sauce, a gratin, a dessert or a coffee, look for a product that clearly says ‘microfiltered’. Make room for it in the fridge and keep it chilled until mealtime.

Couples who shop in advance

If you want milk on hand without having to buy a fresh bottle just before dinner, unopened UHT semi-skimmed milk is a convenient option to store. However, it isn’t a substitute for milk specifically labelled as microfiltered.

Shoppers who check pack sizes and labels

If your recipe only uses a little milk, compare pack sizes with how much you’re likely to use after dinner. If you prefer organic milk or milk from a particular production scheme, check the details for the exact product rather than assuming they tell you how it has been processed.

What should you look for?

Semi-skimmed microfiltered milk

Choose this: if ‘microfiltered’ is essential to your purchase and you can keep the milk in the fridge.

Bear in mind: it needs to be kept chilled even before opening. Check the use-by date and storage temperature on the bottle.

Semi-skimmed UHT milk

Choose this: if you’re buying milk well before dinner and want to store it unopened in a dry place at room temperature.

Keep in mind: UHT treatment doesn’t mean the milk is microfiltered. Once opened, follow the pack’s refrigeration instructions.

Semi-skimmed pasteurised milk

Choose this: if you simply want fresh milk for use soon and don’t specifically need it to be microfiltered.

Bear in mind: Lactel says its pasteurised milk should be kept chilled, even before opening.

What to consider What to check Who is it for?
Microfiltration Look for ‘microfiltered’ on the exact product, then check its storage temperature and use-by date. I want to use fresh microfiltered milk in my recipe and can keep it chilled. Around 40% of consumers would put this need first.
Storing milk before dinner Look for ‘UHT sterilised’ and check the instructions for before and after opening. I shop well in advance and want to keep an unopened carton in the cupboard. This option would be a priority for around 40% of consumers.
Pack size and production scheme Check the volume of each pack, the number of units and, if needed, any certification or production scheme details. I’ll only use a little milk with my meal, or I’m looking for a specific production claim. Around 20% of consumers would put pack size or production scheme first.

Mistakes to avoid

  • Confusing microfiltration with UHT storage

    Microfiltered milk needs to stay chilled, while unopened UHT milk can be stored in a dry place at room temperature. Mixing them up could make it harder to store milk before dinner or find milk that has been specifically microfiltered.

    Look for ‘microfiltered’ if the process matters to you, or ‘UHT sterilised’ if you’re mainly looking for milk you can keep in the cupboard.

  • Buying a large pack for a single meal

    Once opened, milk needs to be refrigerated and used within the time stated for that particular product. So if you buy a multipack or large bottle, plan to use the rest for something else.

    Compare the amount your recipe needs with how much you’ll be able to use after dinner.

    You may not use the remaining milk before the deadline stated on the packaging.

  • Assuming the process based on the brand alone

    A brand may sell pasteurised, UHT and other types of milk, so the brand name alone won’t tell you how to store a particular bottle.

    Check the product description and storage instructions on the packaging.

  • Assuming ‘semi-skimmed’ means ‘lactose-free’

    ‘Semi-skimmed’ describes the fat content, not whether the milk is lactose-free. It also doesn’t mean a product is suitable for every dietary requirement.

    If ingredients or allergens affect your choice, check the details for the exact product.

Brands to consider, depending on the type of milk you want

These examples refer to specific products. Always check the description and instructions on the bottle or carton you choose.

Carrefour Extra

Carrefour lists a 1 L bottle of fresh semi-skimmed microfiltered milk.

  • The product description explicitly says ‘microfiltered’.
  • It needs to be kept chilled; it isn’t a UHT carton designed for cupboard storage.

Auchan Bio Cultivons le Bon

Auchan’s product is a 1 L bottle of fresh, organic, semi-skimmed microfiltered milk.

  • This product is labelled as both organic and microfiltered.
  • Auchan says to store it between +2 °C and +4 °C before opening and to consume it within 3 days of opening.

Lactel

Lactel’s semi-skimmed pasteurised milk is an option from the chilled aisle if you don’t specifically need milk labelled ‘microfiltered’.

  • Lactel specifies that this product is pasteurised.
  • It needs to be kept chilled, even before opening. If you’re looking for microfiltered milk, check the product description separately.

Candia

Candia’s GrandLait semi-skimmed range comes in several sizes, so you can compare them with the amount you expect to use.

  • Candia lists this range in 25 cL, 50 cL, 1 L and 1.5 L sizes.
  • These details don’t mean that GrandLait is microfiltered; check the process on the product you choose.

E.Leclerc — Marque Repère / Delisse / €co+

The E.Leclerc range includes own-brand semi-skimmed milk in a variety of pack sizes.

  • You can compare options such as packs of 6 × 1 L cartons.
  • If microfiltration is important to you, check for ‘microfiltered’ on the exact product.

Joybuy products to help you plan ahead

These 50 cl cartons of semi-skimmed milk could be a good choice if you only want to open one pack for your meal. If you’re planning to store the multipack before dinner, check the treatment and storage instructions for the product you buy.

Pack of six 50 cl cartons of Candia Viva semi-skimmed milk

Candia Viva semi-skimmed milk, 6 × 50 cl

If your dinner recipe only needs a little milk, these cartons let you open one at a time, while planning how to use the rest of the multipack. If cupboard storage or microfiltration matters to you, check the relevant details on this product.

View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Can you store microfiltered milk in the same way as UHT milk?

No. Microfiltered milk needs to be kept chilled, while unopened UHT milk can be stored in a dry place at room temperature. Au rythme du lait says microfiltered milk can be kept for around 15 days at 4 °C before opening; the IPLC says unopened UHT-sterilised milk can be stored in a dry place at room temperature for at least three months. In all cases, follow the date and instructions on your packaging.

What should you do with milk left over after dinner?

Put the opened container back in the fridge and follow the storage time stated for that product. Auchan says its fresh, organic, semi-skimmed microfiltered milk should be used within 3 days of opening; Candia says its GrandLait semi-skimmed milk should be used within 4 days and kept at a maximum of +6 °C. Don’t assume the same storage time applies to every product.

Is semi-skimmed milk lactose-free?

No. ‘Semi-skimmed’ refers to the fat content and doesn’t mean ‘lactose-free’. If this or allergens matter to you, check the details for the exact product instead of relying on its category alone.

What should you check on the label before buying?

Start with the milk description to tell ‘microfiltered’, ‘pasteurised’ and ‘UHT sterilised’ apart. Then check the pack size, date and storage temperatures. The DGCCRF highlights the importance of clear, factual information on food labels, including the product description and ingredients list.