For a picnic without a cool bag, choose skimmed milk whose packaging says it can be stored at room temperature before opening: the word ‘microfiltered’ alone isn’t enough. If microfiltration is important to you, also check that it has been UHT-treated and read the storage instructions for the product you buy. Once opened, keep it chilled or plan to use it all.
You plan to carry the milk unopened and open it when you arrive at your picnic. Look for a UHT label and check the storage instructions before opening. Then choose a quantity that suits what you’ll drink while you’re there.
You want this specific feature, but don’t assume it means the milk can be carried without chilling. The Institut Professionnel du Lait de Consommation says that microfiltered milk is also sold in the chilled aisle, so the treatment and storage details for each product are what matter.
A small UHT carton may be easy to carry, but that doesn’t mean it contains skimmed milk. Check the product description before choosing a size: some portable products listed by Carrefour and Auchan are semi-skimmed.
When choosing milk for a picnic, first consider whether it will be kept out of the fridge before opening. Then check that it’s labelled ‘skimmed’ and choose a size based on how much you can drink or refrigerate once opened.
Choose this if: the milk needs to travel unopened without a cool bag and the packaging says it can be stored at room temperature before opening, as with the Bio UHT skimmed milk described by Lactel.
Bear in mind: UHT doesn’t mean microfiltered. Once opened, follow the refrigeration instructions for the product you buy.
Choose this if: microfiltration matters more to you and you can follow the chilled storage instructions on the packaging.
Bear in mind: according to the Institut Professionnel du Lait de Consommation, microfiltered milk is also sold in the chilled aisle. So the word ‘filtered’ doesn’t mean you can carry it without a cool bag.
Choose this if: you find a product labelled ‘skimmed’, ‘microfiltered’ and ‘UHT’ that also confirms the storage conditions you’re looking for. Sterilgarda describes a 500 ml product with all three features.
Bear in mind: check the product and its storage instructions with the seller before relying on this option for your outing.
| What to check | How to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Storage before opening | Check for a UHT label and read the storage instructions for the unopened carton. Tetra Pak says that UHT milk in aseptic packaging doesn’t need to be refrigerated before opening. | Without a cool bag, I want to keep the milk unopened until it’s time to serve, without needing to refrigerate it during the journey; around 46% of consumers rank storage before opening as their top priority. |
| Size and leftovers | Compare the pack size with the amount you plan to drink, and check how to store the milk after opening. A small pack doesn’t prove that the milk is skimmed or UHT. | If I can’t put an opened bottle back in the fridge, I’d rather bring about as much as we’ll drink; pack size is the top priority for around 36% of consumers. |
| ‘Skimmed’ description | Check the product description and the fat content in the nutritional information. According to the DGCCRF, skimmed milk contains no more than 0.5% fat. | I want to avoid accidentally swapping my skimmed milk for semi-skimmed, even if the pack is convenient; around 18% of consumers make this their top priority, sometimes also looking for lactose-free milk. |
Microfiltered milk can be sold in the chilled aisle. If you want to carry it unopened without keeping it chilled, microfiltration alone doesn’t tell you how it should be stored.
Look for a UHT label and instructions for storage before opening on the product you plan to take.
Small packs listed by Carrefour, Auchan and E.Leclerc include semi-skimmed milk. According to the DGCCRF, this description refers to a different fat content from skimmed milk.
Check that it’s described as ‘skimmed milk’ first, then choose a size that works for your picnic.
UHT milk can be kept at room temperature while unopened, but not after the carton has been opened. For its Bio UHT skimmed milk, Lactel says to store it at a maximum of 6 °C and use it within three days of opening.
Take enough to drink while you’re there, or plan to refrigerate any leftovers in line with the product instructions.
These labels answer two different questions. The chilled lactose-free product described by Candia must be kept between 0 and 6 °C before opening.
If you’re also looking for lactose-free milk, check that label separately, along with the skimmed description and storage instructions.
The range described includes Bio sterilised UHT skimmed milk and a lactose-free Bio skimmed option.
Sterilgarda lists a 500 ml carton of UHT microfiltered skimmed milk with a screw cap.
The Carrefour Montagne bottle listed is an example of a 50 cl UHT format.
The Candia products listed make it easy to distinguish between UHT semi-skimmed milk and fresh milk that needs to be kept chilled.
This pack contains six 1 L cartons of skimmed milk. If you want to carry it without a cool bag before opening, or specifically want microfiltered milk, check the treatment and storage details on the product you buy.
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This pack is a practical choice if you need several litres of skimmed milk, rather than a small portion to open at your picnic.
It contains six 1 L cartons. If the milk needs to travel without a cool bag, check for a UHT label and storage instructions for before opening. Also check for the word ‘microfiltered’ if that feature matters to you.
Not just because it says ‘microfiltered’. The Institut Professionnel du Lait de Consommation says that microfiltered milk is also sold in the chilled aisle. Check whether your chosen product is UHT and can be stored at room temperature before opening.
According to Tetra Pak, UHT milk in aseptic packaging doesn’t need to be refrigerated before opening. Follow the date and storage instructions on the carton: Lactel says its Bio UHT skimmed milk can be stored at room temperature before opening.
Refrigerate the milk after opening, following the instructions for that product. For its Bio UHT skimmed milk, Lactel recommends a maximum of 6 °C and using it within three days. If you can’t keep leftovers chilled, choose an amount you can drink while you’re there.
Check the product description and fat content in the nutritional information. According to the DGCCRF, skimmed milk contains no more than 0.5% fat, compared with 1,50 % to 1,80 % for semi-skimmed milk.