Households stocking up
If you regularly make hot chocolate, béchamel, gratins or desserts, you’ll probably want milk you can store unopened without taking up space in the fridge.
Who are these options for?
The following profiles apply to semi-skimmed milk, if that’s the ingredient you need for your winter recipes.
Shoppers looking for microfiltered milk
You’re specifically looking for milk from the chilled aisle and can transport and store it in the fridge.
Consumers keeping an eye on lactose content
Lactose content is your main consideration. You’ll also need to check whether your chosen product should be kept chilled or can be stored at room temperature before opening.
What should you check?
When choosing semi-skimmed milk for hot drinks and winter recipes, first decide whether you need a cupboard staple or can keep it refrigerated. Then check the lactose content of the product you’re considering.
| Consideration | What to check | Who it’s for |
|---|---|---|
| Unopened storage | The UHT label and the storage instructions on the pack. | I make hot drinks or sauces several times a week and want to keep milk handy without filling the fridge. Around 50% of consumers would put this need at the top of their list. |
| Microfiltered milk | The ‘microfiltered’ label, the date shown and instructions to keep it chilled from the moment you buy it. | If I’m specifically looking for microfiltered milk, I need to be able to keep it chilled rather than store it in the cupboard. This would be the priority for around 30% of consumers. |
| Lactose content | The stated lactose content and storage instructions for the product. | If I’m mainly looking for a lower lactose content, this matters more to me than whether the milk is UHT or fresh. Around 20% of consumers would make this their priority. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Assuming ‘filtered’ means ‘long-life’
Microfiltered milk from the chilled aisle isn’t suitable for the same kind of unopened storage as UHT milk. The IPLC says microfiltered milk can be kept chilled for around 15 days before opening; Carrefour also says its microfiltered milk must be kept refrigerated.
For a cupboard staple, look for the UHT label and check the storage instructions on the pack.
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Assuming all cartons keep for the same length of time once opened
Instructions vary by product. Lactel says its organic semi-skimmed UHT milk should be kept chilled at no more than +6 °C and used within 3 days. Candia says GrandLait semi-skimmed milk should be kept chilled at no more than +6 °C and used within 4 days.
Follow the storage time and temperature shown on the product you open.
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Treating ‘easy to digest’ as a guarantee for everyone
The stated lactose content of a product alone doesn’t tell you whether it’s suitable for every individual situation.
Check the stated content and ingredients of the product you’re considering. If you have a question related to an allergy or medical need, seek professional advice.
Semi-skimmed milk brands to know
Carrefour
Carrefour offers a microfiltered semi-skimmed milk as well as UHT semi-skimmed milk.
- Carrefour Extra’s product information says its microfiltered milk must be kept chilled.
- This instruction applies to the microfiltered product and doesn’t describe all Carrefour milk.
Lactel
Lactel offers organic semi-skimmed UHT milk in several pack sizes.
- Lactel’s organic semi-skimmed milk is labelled as UHT.
- Once opened, Lactel says to keep it chilled at no more than +6 °C and use it within 3 days.
Candia
Candia offers GrandLait semi-skimmed UHT milk as well as fresh semi-skimmed milk, including a product with reduced lactose content.
- For GrandLait semi-skimmed UHT milk, Candia says to keep it chilled at no more than +6 °C for 4 days after opening.
- The fresh milk with reduced lactose content must be kept chilled before opening, so it isn’t suitable as a cupboard staple.
Related Joybuy products
Related products coming soon.
Frequently asked questions
Can you keep microfiltered milk in the cupboard before opening?
Not the refrigerated microfiltered milk described here. The IPLC says it can be kept chilled for around 15 days before opening, and Carrefour says to keep its microfiltered milk refrigerated. If you want to stock up on milk that can be kept at room temperature before opening, look for the UHT label and check the pack instructions.
How long can you keep semi-skimmed milk once opened?
Follow the instructions for the product you’ve bought. Lactel says its organic semi-skimmed UHT milk can be kept chilled at no more than +6 °C for 3 days, while Candia says GrandLait semi-skimmed milk can be kept chilled at no more than +6 °C for 4 days.
What should you check on the date and storage instructions for milk?
Check the date on the pack, along with the storage instructions for before and after opening. The French Ministry of the Economy distinguishes between the use-by date (DLC) and the best-before date (DDM), and reminds consumers to follow the manufacturer’s storage recommendations.