Parents stocking up for the family
You regularly use milk for breakfasts, drinks or family recipes, and have room to store a 6 L pack of UHT milk.
Who is this choice for?
Parents looking for lactose-free milk
An adult in your household has difficulty digesting lactose and wants to keep skimmed milk on the menu. Lactel and Candia offer lactose-free skimmed milk.
Parents of a baby under one
It’s important to keep the milk you buy for the household separate from your baby’s milk: the French national health insurance service recommends using infant formula until your baby is one year old.
What should you look for?
First, decide who the milk is for. For household milk, consider how much you’ll use, the instructions for storing it once opened and, if needed, its lactose content.
| What matters to you | What to check | Who it’s for |
|---|---|---|
| Milk for different ages | If the milk is for a baby under one, choose infant formula suitable for their age rather than family-sized skimmed milk. | If my baby is under one, I want to avoid mixing up their infant formula with the milk for the household; around 42% of consumers prioritise this distinction. |
| Stocking up and storage | Check the number of containers, their size and the storage instructions for once they’re opened. | For family breakfasts and recipes, I want to keep a supply without opening several containers at once; around 33% of consumers prioritise managing their stock this way. |
| Need for lactose-free milk | Check the lactose-free label and pack size of the product you choose. | If an adult in my household has difficulty digesting lactose, I’m looking for a skimmed milk that suits their needs; around 25% of consumers prioritise this feature. |
Common mix-ups to avoid
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Confusing family-sized skimmed milk with infant formula
A pack of skimmed milk bought for the adults in your household is not a substitute for infant formula for a baby under one. The French national health insurance service recommends using infant formula until that age.
If you’re buying milk for your baby, choose infant formula suitable for their age. Ask a healthcare professional for advice if you have any specific concerns.
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Confusing a 6 × 1 L pack with individual servings
The packs mentioned here contain 1 L bottles or cartons. Once a container is open, follow the instructions for refrigerating and using its contents.
If you need a size to take with you, check the volume of each individual unit. At home, open one container at a time and make a note of when you opened it.
Opening several containers at once can lead to waste if you don’t use their contents within the timeframe stated on the packaging.
Brands to consider for size and ingredients
Lactel
The range includes UHT skimmed milk, including Matin Léger lactose-free skimmed milk.
- Lactel states that Matin Léger skimmed milk contains less than 0.1 g of lactose per 100 ml; 6 × 1 L packs are among the available sizes.
- Check the exact size before buying: Lactel’s Matin Léger product information also lists 50 cl and 1 L containers.
Candia
Candia+ offers lactose-free skimmed milk in 1 L and 6 × 1 L sizes.
- Candia states that this product contains less than 0.1 g of lactose per 100 ml.
- This is a good choice if you’re looking for lactose-free milk, but it may not be needed by everyone in your household. Candia says to keep it refrigerated and use it within 4 days of opening.
Carrefour
Carrefour Classic' and Carrefour Extra let you compare two pack types of UHT skimmed milk.
- Carrefour lists Classic' in a pack of six 1 L bottles and Extra in a pack of six 1 L cartons.
- If the type of container matters for storage or how you use it, check whether the product you choose comes in bottles or cartons.
Auchan
Auchan stocks UHT skimmed milk, including 6 × 1 L packs in its Solidaires Cultivons le Bon and Bio Cultivons le Bon ranges.
- Auchan’s catalogue includes Solidaires Cultivons le Bon UHT skimmed milk in a 6 × 1 L pack.
- Check the specific product and the information on its packaging before choosing a pack.
A product for your household stock-up
This 6 × 1 L pack of Matin Léger skimmed milk is a handy household supply, especially if an adult is looking for a lactose-free option. It is not intended to replace infant formula.
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Lactel Matin Léger skimmed milk, 6 × 1 L
This pack is a good choice for your household milk supply if an adult is looking for lactose-free skimmed milk.
It contains six 1 L containers. Lactel states that Matin Léger skimmed milk contains less than 0.1 g of lactose per 100 ml.
Once opened, follow the storage instructions on the packaging you receive.
Frequently asked questions
Can I give this skimmed milk to my baby under one?
Don’t use this skimmed milk as a substitute for your baby’s infant formula. The French national health insurance service recommends using infant formula until your baby is one year old. If you’re choosing a product for your baby, check the age range shown on the packaging.
How long can I keep an opened bottle of UHT milk?
Follow the timeframe and temperature instructions on the bottle you buy. For its Vitamine D skimmed milk, Lactel advises storing it at a maximum of 6 °C and using it within 3 days of opening. For Candia+ Sans Lactose Écrémé, Candia advises storing it between +1 and +6 °C and using it within 4 days.
Is the date on the pack enough once it’s opened?
No. Once the container is open, follow the manufacturer’s storage advice on the packaging. The DGCCRF reminds consumers to follow these instructions after opening.
Should you choose lactose-free skimmed milk for the whole household?
Not necessarily. This feature is useful for an adult who has difficulty digesting lactose. If no one in your household needs it, compare the size of the containers and the storage instructions for the products you’re considering instead.