Who is this option for?

If you’re ordering semi-skimmed milk, the right size depends mainly on whether you want one bottle, how you’ll store it and whether you’d rather open your containers one at a time.

Households looking for a 2 L bottle

You want a single container for regular use and can keep your chosen fresh milk chilled.

Households looking to stock up

You’d rather buy a multipack of UHT cartons to open as needed than one large bottle of fresh milk.

Shoppers who check the label

You check the ingredients, allergens, milk treatment and any origin or production scheme claims for the product you order.

What should you check before ordering?

For semi-skimmed milk, first check the size of each container. Then choose between a bottle of fresh milk that needs to be kept chilled and UHT cartons that you can open separately.

2 L bottle of fresh milk

Choose this: if you specifically want one 2 L container and can put it in the fridge as soon as it arrives.

Bear in mind: once opened, a large bottle must be used according to the instructions on the product.

Multipack of UHT cartons

Choose this: if you want to open the cartons one at a time.

Bear in mind: several cartons take up space and aren’t the same as one 2 L bottle.

What to consider What to check Who this matters to
Size of each container Volume of each bottle, number of containers and total volume of the multipack. I want to handle one 2 L bottle, not a multipack where only the total volume suits me; around 31% of consumers would prioritise this exact size.
Delivery and storage Storage instructions, the date shown on the product and whether you can quickly put fresh milk in the fridge. If I order fresh milk, I need to be able to receive it and follow the instructions after opening; around 31% of consumers would put this first.
A supply to open gradually Number of UHT cartons, volume per carton and the space needed to store them. For regular use, I’d rather open one carton at a time than a large container; around 23% of consumers would prioritise this approach.
Ingredients and label information Ingredients, allergens, milk treatment and any origin or production scheme claims for the exact product. Before adding milk to my basket, I want to know what its label says; around 15% of consumers would prioritise this information.

Mistakes to avoid

  • Ordering based only on the term ‘half-butter’

    This wording doesn’t confirm that the product is semi-skimmed milk. Nor does ‘4 pint’ confirm that it’s a 2 L bottle.

    Before placing your order, check the product category, its name and the volume shown on each container.

  • Confusing the total volume with the volume per bottle

    A multipack containing several litres might consist of 1 L or 1.5 L bottles, which isn’t the same as one 2 L container.

    Check the volume per container and the number of containers separately, especially if a 2 L bottle is essential.

  • Choosing fresh milk without planning for delivery

    Carrefour’s product listing for Candia GrandLait fresh milk in a 2 L bottle says to keep it chilled. Anses recommends monitoring your fridge temperature, keeping it at 4 °C in the coldest part.

    Choose a delivery slot that lets you put your order away promptly, then check the date and storage instructions on the product you receive.

Useful brands for comparing sizes

Candia GrandLait

Carrefour lists a 2 L bottle of fresh, semi-skimmed, pasteurised milk that needs to be kept chilled.

  • Carrefour’s listing gives the fat content of this 2 L product as 1,6 g per 100 mL.
  • The GrandLait 4 × 1,5 L multipack listed by Joybuy is a different size, so check the volume per bottle before choosing.

Lactel

Carrefour lists a 1 L bottle of Lactel semi-skimmed, fresh, pasteurised milk.

  • The listing says it’s semi-skimmed milk of French origin and should be kept chilled.
  • This 1 L product won’t meet your needs if you’re looking for one 2 L bottle.

Carrefour

Carrefour’s range lets you compare multipacks of semi-skimmed UHT milk in 1 L containers.

  • Carrefour lists, among other options, a pack of six 1 L cartons and an organic option in a pack of six 1 L bottles.
  • Check the exact product if you’re looking for one bottle rather than a multipack.

Auchan

Auchan lists a multipack of semi-skimmed milk in eight 1 L plastic bottles.

  • You can open the 1 L containers separately.
  • Auchan’s listing says to store the milk in the fridge at a maximum of +6 °C and use it within five days of opening; this multipack isn’t a 2 L bottle.

Marque Repère / Delisse

E.Leclerc lists Delisse products in 1 L, 50 cL and 25 cL containers, as well as 1 L cartons.

  • These options let you choose a container size that suits opening the milk gradually.
  • Check the packaging for the exact product you choose if you need one 2 L bottle.

Joybuy products related to this topic

Products related to this topic will be available soon.

Frequently asked questions

How can I tell whether ‘half-butter’ means the milk I’m looking for?

Check the product name on the listing rather than relying on this term alone. If you’re looking for semi-skimmed milk in one 2 L bottle, also check the volume per container: ‘4 pint’ doesn’t confirm that size.

Is a 2 L bottle of fresh milk suitable for an online order?

Yes, if you can receive it and put it in the fridge promptly, then follow the product instructions after opening. Carrefour says its 2 L bottle of Candia GrandLait fresh milk should be kept chilled; also check the date on the bottle you receive.

Why choose UHT cartons if your household drinks milk regularly?

A multipack of UHT cartons lets you open them one after another, rather than opening a large bottle all at once. However, the 1 L multipacks listed by Carrefour, Auchan and E.Leclerc aren’t a substitute for one 2 L bottle. Follow the instructions for each product after opening.

What does ‘semi-skimmed milk’ mean in terms of fat content?

According to the DGCCRF, in its publication dated 13 November 2025, the term ‘semi-skimmed milk’ in France refers to a fat content of between 1,50 % and 1,80 % by mass. On its own, it doesn’t tell you about other ingredients, allergens or production scheme claims, so check the label of the product you order.