For a buffet prepared in advance, choose your semi-skimmed milk based first on your storage options. Some UHT varieties can be stored unrefrigerated before opening, while Lactel pasteurised milk must be kept chilled from the time you buy it. 25 cl or 50 cl packs make it easy to serve smaller portions; larger containers need careful planning for storing any milk left after opening. If taste is particularly important to the children, let them try the variety you’re considering before ordering several packs. A claim that milk is mild doesn’t tell you whether they’ll like it.
If the milk will need to be stored before the buffet, check its storage instructions when you buy it. Auchan’s product details for its 1 L UHT semi-skimmed milk say it can be stored at room temperature before opening, away from heat and humidity. Lactel pasteurised milk, on the other hand, must be kept chilled.
25 cl or 50 cl containers let you serve smaller portions without always opening a larger pack. If taste is a deciding factor, it’s best to let the children try the milk you plan to serve rather than assume it will taste mild based on wording on the pack.
Chilled pasteurised milk is an option if you can keep it cold during transport, while it’s waiting to be served and throughout the buffet. Lactel says its pasteurised semi-skimmed milk must be kept refrigerated even before opening.
For a wedding buffet, first check where the milk will be stored before and during service, then choose pack sizes based on how much you’ll need to open. If the children’s preferences will determine what you buy, arrange for them to try the variety you’ve chosen.
| Factor | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Taste for children | Choose plain semi-skimmed milk and, if taste is crucial, let the children try it before placing a large order. | I’d like to offer the children milk they’ll be happy to drink, without relying on a claim that it tastes mild. Around 36% of consumers would put taste preferences first. |
| Storage and refrigeration | Read the storage instructions for before and after opening; UHT and pasteurised milk shouldn’t be stored in the same way. | If I’m buying several days before the reception, I want to be able to organise storage without needing a fridge for unopened containers. This convenience would be the priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Portions and leftovers | Compare 25 cl or 50 cl packs with 1 or 1.5 L containers, and open larger containers gradually. | When it’s hard to predict how much we’ll need, I’d rather open containers as service progresses than leave several partly used. Portion management would come first for around 21% of consumers. |
| Choosing chilled milk | Make sure you can keep pasteurised milk chilled during transport, while it’s waiting to be served and throughout service, even before opening. | I want to serve pasteurised milk specifically, as long as I can keep it chilled throughout the reception. This would be the main consideration for around 14% of consumers. |
Wording on a product page won’t tell you what the children at your buffet will think of the milk. It’s no substitute for choosing something that suits their preferences.
Let them try a small amount of the variety you’re considering before buying several packs.
Lactel says its pasteurised semi-skimmed milk must be kept chilled, even before opening. By contrast, Auchan’s product details for its 1 L UHT milk say it can be stored at room temperature before opening, away from heat and humidity.
Before choosing pasteurised milk, make sure you’ll have access to refrigeration during transport, set-up and the buffet.
Once opened, each container must be stored according to the instructions for that particular product. Candia says GrandLait should be kept chilled for four days after opening, while Auchan says its 1 L UHT milk can be kept for up to five days. In both cases, the maximum temperature is +6 °C.
Open larger containers as you need them, and set aside a few smaller packs for individual portions if necessary.
A Candia variety described as containing lactase is also labelled as containing milk. So ‘lactose-free’ doesn’t mean it’s suitable for someone with a milk allergy.
Check the ingredients and allergen information on the exact pack before choosing an alternative for that person.
The ranges below give you an idea of the available pack sizes and storage requirements. The right choice for your buffet depends on the specific product and its packaging instructions.
According to Candia, GrandLait semi-skimmed milk comes in 25 cl, 50 cl, 1 L and 1.5 L sizes: options for serving individual portions or pouring from a larger container.
Lactel’s range includes chilled pasteurised semi-skimmed milk and UHT semi-skimmed milk enriched with vitamin D.
Carrefour’s range includes UHT semi-skimmed milk in packs of 6 × 1 L, making it a good fit for serving from litre-sized containers.
The E.Leclerc catalogue includes Delisse packs in 6 × 25 cl, 6 × 50 cl and 6 × 1 L sizes.
Auchan offers UHT semi-skimmed milk in 1 L cartons and multipacks of 1 L bottles.
These two multipacks offer 50 cl or 1 L containers, so you can serve milk throughout the buffet as needed. If the children’s taste preferences will influence your choice, let them try the variety you’re considering before buying in quantity.
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This multipack contains six 50 cl containers, ideal for serving moderate portions.
Before choosing it as a semi-skimmed milk, check the product name and nutritional information on the packaging. Also check the storage instructions for after opening.
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This multipack is suited to larger-scale service, and you can open its six 1 L containers gradually.
Check the packaging for the milk treatment and storage instructions before and after opening, so you can plan storage and buffet service.
Choose based on the refrigeration available before and during service. Auchan’s product details for its 1 L UHT milk say it can be stored at room temperature before opening, away from heat and humidity. Lactel says its pasteurised semi-skimmed milk must be kept chilled, even before opening. Whichever you choose, follow the instructions for any opened container.
Consider 25 cl or 50 cl packs if you want to open smaller quantities at a time. Candia lists these sizes for GrandLait semi-skimmed milk, as well as 1 L and 1.5 L containers. However, the pack size won’t tell you whether the children will like the taste of the variety you choose.
Follow the storage time and temperature given for the product you’re serving. Candia says to consume GrandLait within four days of opening and keep it at a maximum of +6 °C. Auchan says its 1 L UHT milk can be kept for up to five days at the same temperature. Lactel says to consume its pasteurised semi-skimmed milk quickly, within three days of opening.
No: ‘lactose-free’ doesn’t mean ‘dairy-free’. One Candia variety containing lactase is also labelled as containing milk. Check the ingredients and allergen information for the specific product before choosing another drink for someone with a milk allergy.