Organisers mindful of allergens
You’re making cakes for a school event and want to make it clear which recipes contain milk, so families don’t have to guess what’s in them.
Who is this guide for?
People comparing nutritional information
You’re considering semi-skimmed milk for a recipe and want to check the fat content shown on the product, without automatically attributing a nutritional claim to the finished cake.
Volunteers handling shopping and storage
You need to plan for several litres, divide the ingredients between the people doing the baking and arrange storage until they’re needed.
What should you check?
First, work out how much milk you’ll need and how long there’ll be between buying it and baking. These two factors will help you choose the right pack size and storage method. An organic label or stated origin may also influence your choice, but neither replaces checking the label or keeping track of the ingredients used in each cake.
| What to consider | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Milk in the recipes | Keep the label from the milk you use and a record of each recipe, noting the allergens it actually contains. | I want to give families an accurate answer when they ask what’s in a cake, especially if it’s sold without packaging; around 45% of consumers put this information first. |
| Nutritional information | Compare the fat content and other nutritional information for different milks on the same basis, for example per 100 ml. | If the milk’s fat content influences my choice, I want to compare the labels without drawing conclusions about the whole cake; this is the top priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Pack size and storage | Calculate how many litres your recipes call for, then check the storage instructions for the product you choose, both before and after opening. | When several people are baking on different dates, I need to divide up the quantities and organise storage; this is the main concern for around 22% of consumers. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Calling the cakes “low fat” because you’ve used semi-skimmed milk
Milk is just one ingredient in the recipe. The DGCCRF reminds consumers that nutrition claims are regulated: the type of milk used isn’t enough to describe the finished cake.
Simply say that the recipe is made with semi-skimmed milk. To compare two milks, check their nutritional information on the same basis.
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Losing track of the ingredients before the sale
Without the milk packaging or an up-to-date recipe record, it can be difficult to answer questions about whether a cake contains milk or other allergens.
Keep the labels for the ingredients you actually use and note the allergens in each recipe, including those in other ingredients.
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Opening the milk too early without planning how to store it
The storage instructions for unopened UHT milk may no longer apply once it’s opened. Fresh milk also needs to be kept chilled.
Check the instructions on the carton or bottle you buy, and plan suitable storage until you use the milk.
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Planning a cream filling without arranging chilled storage
For school events, the Ministry of National Education highlights preparations made with crème pâtissière or whipped cream as needing particular care.
If you can’t keep the cakes chilled during preparation and the sale, choose baked cakes without perishable fillings instead.
Brands to know when comparing products
Lactel
Lactel offers an organic semi-skimmed milk.
- The brand says this milk is produced in France and bottled at its five dairies.
- To compare fat content, check the nutritional information for the product you’re thinking of buying.
Candia
Candia’s GrandLait semi-skimmed range includes 50 cl, 1 L and 1.5 L bottles.
- These pack sizes let you choose the quantity to suit your planned recipes.
- Compare the nutritional information for the products you’re considering rather than relying on a general statement about fat content.
Carrefour Bio
Carrefour offers organic UHT semi-skimmed milk in a pack of six 1 L bottles.
- According to Carrefour, this product comes from French farms and is sterilised and packaged in France.
- The organic label doesn’t change the fact that the recipes contain milk: keep the product details and the ingredients for your cakes.
Auchan
Auchan offers UHT semi-skimmed milk in a 1 L carton and in a pack of 12 × 1 L cartons.
- The product information for a specific item includes its nutritional values and storage instructions.
- Auchan says that product details may vary by drive and purchase date, so check the label on the product you actually choose.
Semi-skimmed milk on Joybuy
These two multi-packs of semi-skimmed milk come in different sizes, helping you plan the quantity you’ll need for your recipes. Check the packaging for the nutritional information, ingredients and storage instructions that matter for your plans.
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CANDIA Viva semi-skimmed milk, 6 × 50 cl
The 50 cl bottles may be a good choice if you need to divide the milk between several batches. The pack contains 6 × 50 cl; keep the packaging so you can check the ingredients and instructions for use after opening.
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C'EST QUI LE PATRON semi-skimmed milk, 6 × 1 L
The pack of 6 × 1 L may suit a recipe that needs several litres of milk. Check the instructions for use after opening on the bottles, and refer to the nutritional table if you’re comparing products.
Frequently asked questions
Is semi-skimmed milk suitable for cakes at a school sale?
Yes, if the recipe calls for milk and you follow the storage instructions for the product you choose. If you’re buying it in advance, check how it should be stored before opening. If it needs to be kept chilled, plan how you’ll keep it cold until you use it.
Can you call the cakes “low fat” because they contain semi-skimmed milk?
No. Choosing semi-skimmed milk alone isn’t enough to describe the finished cake in this way. The DGCCRF reminds consumers that nutrition claims are regulated, so consider the full recipe rather than the name of just one ingredient.
How can you tell people that cakes sold without packaging contain milk?
Keep a record for each recipe, clearly noting milk and any other allergens it actually contains. The DGCCRF includes unpackaged cakes among its examples of non-prepacked foods. To give buyers accurate information, always refer to the ingredients you’ve actually used.
What cakes should you make if you’re not sure you can keep them chilled?
Choose baked cakes without perishable fillings. In its guidance for school events, the Ministry of National Education advises particular care with preparations made with crème pâtissière or whipped cream.