Anyone building up a household supply
You want to keep milk at home for breakfast, coffee or cooking. Check that it’s UHT and choose a pack size you can use once opened.
Who is this a good choice for?
Anyone who doesn’t use much milk
If you only use a small amount at a time, a 25 or 50 cl carton can help reduce the amount left over once opened.
Anyone looking for a specific feature
If you’re looking for reduced lactose or added vitamin D, check the product for this specific claim. It isn’t guaranteed just because the milk is labelled ‘semi-skimmed’.
What should you look for?
First, decide whether you need to store the milk outside the fridge before opening. If so, look for the UHT label. Then choose a pack size to suit how much you’ll use once opened, and check for any ingredients or nutritional features that matter to you.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Storing unopened milk | The UHT label and the storage instructions on the pack; pasteurised milk must be kept chilled. | If I want milk on hand without using fridge space before opening it, being able to stock up comes first; around 42% of consumers would prioritise this. |
| Pack size once opened | The pack size, such as 25 cl, 50 cl or 1 L, and the recommended time to use it after opening. | If I don’t use much milk, I’d rather open a smaller quantity to avoid leaving some in the fridge; around 33% of consumers would put this need first. |
| Specific nutritional needs | Fat per 100 ml and, if needed, a clear claim about lactose or vitamin D. | If the exact composition matters to me, ‘semi-skimmed’ alone doesn’t answer my questions about fat content or a particular variant; around 25% of consumers would put this information first. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Confusing semi-skimmed with 0% fat or reduced lactose
The label ‘semi-skimmed’ guarantees neither of these other features. The GrandLait, Lactel Vitamine D and Auchan products mentioned by their brands contain between 1.5 and 1.6 g of fat per 100 ml, depending on the product.
Check the nutritional information for the product you choose, and look for a clear lactose claim if that’s what you need.
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Planning to keep pasteurised milk in the cupboard
Fresh pasteurised milk, such as Lactel Matin Léger, must be kept in the fridge before opening. UHT milk, on the other hand, can be stored at room temperature while the pack is sealed, following the product instructions.
If you want to keep milk outside the fridge, check that it’s UHT. Choose pasteurised milk only if you can keep it chilled.
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Choosing a large multipack without considering opened cartons
A multipack lets you keep several cartons in reserve, but each opened carton must be refrigerated and used within the time specified for that product. Candia, Lactel and Auchan give different guidance for the products featured here.
Choose a pack size that suits how much you’ll use once opened, and follow the instructions on the packaging.
Semi-skimmed milk brands to know
These products show how processing, pack size and composition can vary. Check the packaging of the specific product you buy.
Lactel
Lactel’s range includes UHT semi-skimmed milk with added vitamin D, as well as Matin Léger pasteurised milk with reduced lactose.
- Lactel states that its Vitamine D product contains 1.5 g of fat per 100 ml. It’s available in sizes including 25 cl, 50 cl and 1 L.
- Once opened, Lactel says to keep this product chilled and use it within three days. Matin Léger pasteurised milk must be kept chilled even before opening.
Candia / GrandLait
GrandLait semi-skimmed milk comes in 25 cl, 50 cl, 1 L and 1.5 L packs, so you can choose a size to suit how you plan to use it.
- Candia states that GrandLait semi-skimmed milk contains 1.5% fat.
- For the product in question, Candia says to keep it at a maximum of 6 °C after opening and use it within four days.
Carrefour Classic'
Carrefour Classic' UHT semi-skimmed milk is available in a pack of 6 × 1 L, which may be a good option if you’ll use several cartons.
- Carrefour states that this product contains 1.6 g of fat per 100 ml.
- A six-litre pack requires storage space, and you’ll need to choose each opened carton size to suit how much you use.
Auchan
Auchan offers, among other options, a 50 cl UHT bottle and an 8 × 1 L UHT multipack to suit different needs.
- The 50 cl bottle states that it contains 1.6 g of fat per 100 ml.
- Auchan says to keep the milk at a maximum of 6 °C after opening. Use the 50 cl bottle within four days and the 8 × 1 L multipack within five days.
E.Leclerc / Marque Repère DELISSE
The DELISSE range includes packs with several smaller cartons as well as one-litre cartons.
- E.Leclerc offers packs including 6 × 25 cl, 6 × 50 cl and 6 × 1 L.
- Check the size of each carton, not just the total volume of the multipack, so you can choose a quantity that suits how much you’ll use once opened.
Packs available on Joybuy
These two semi-skimmed milk multipacks let you compare 50 cl and 1 L cartons, whether you need milk for occasional use or as a regular household supply. Check each pack for how the milk has been treated and how it should be stored.
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CANDIA Viva semi-skimmed milk, 6 × 50 cl
If you only use a little milk at a time, this multipack lets you open a 50 cl carton. It contains six cartons; check the packaging for storage instructions and nutritional information for this product.
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C'EST QUI LE PATRON semi-skimmed milk, 6 × 1 L
This multipack is a better fit if you regularly use one-litre cartons and want to keep a supply in stock. It contains six 1 L cartons; check the packaging for storage instructions, particularly after opening.
Frequently asked questions
Does semi-skimmed milk contain 0% fat?
No: ‘semi-skimmed’ doesn’t mean ‘0%’. The Candia, Lactel, Carrefour and Auchan products featured contain between 1.5 and 1.6 g of fat per 100 ml, depending on the product. Check the nutritional information for the one you’re buying.
How long does UHT milk keep once opened?
Follow the time and temperature guidance on the packaging, and keep opened milk chilled. Instructions vary between the products featured: three days for Lactel Vitamine D, four days for GrandLait and Auchan’s 50 cl bottle, and five days for Auchan’s 8 × 1 L multipack. The French Directorate General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control advises following the manufacturer’s storage recommendations.
Is all semi-skimmed milk automatically reduced in lactose?
No: this feature must be clearly stated on the packaging. Lactel describes its pasteurised Matin Léger as semi-skimmed milk with reduced lactose. This doesn’t apply to all semi-skimmed milk, and this product must be kept chilled before opening.