Like many people, do you leave the milk open… for a long time? Or even a little too long? To avoid taking unnecessary risks at home, Dr. Gérald Kierzek, medical director of True Medical, reveals the right actions to adopt.
How long can you keep opened milk in the refrigerator?
Against all expectations, some milks can easily be kept for a week… and others only 24 hours. This period depends on the nature of the milk and its manufacturing method (pasteurized or not).
- UHT milk: “it keeps between 5 and 8 days after opening in the refrigerator”;
- Pasteurized milk:it can be kept for 2 to 5 days in the refrigerator after opening” ;
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Raw milk: “much more fragile, it must be consumed within 24 to 48 hours after opening, remaining cool“.
Be careful, however: it is possible to keep it within this period provided you quickly place it in the refrigerator after opening.ideally at a temperature below 4°C, to avoid bacterial development“, specifies the doctor.
What if the milk has been left at room temperature for too long? In this situation, you need to be extra careful. Indeed, if said bottle has been left outside for several hours, be careful – it could be contaminated by an army of bacteria (particularly staphylococci).
“However, these can produce toxins responsible for vomiting and diarrhea.“, warns Dr. Gérald Kierzek.
If in doubt, remember to check the smell and appearance of the milk: if it smells bad, is curdled or has an abnormal texture, it should be thrown away. “Of course, never drink directly from the bottle to avoid contamination by saliva or skin“, specifies the medical expert.
What good actions should you take on a daily basis?
To sip your latte without stress or bacteria, Dr. Kierzek suggests following a few simple rules.
- Always keep milk cold after opening. Preferably on an interior shelf of the refrigerator, not in the door, where the temperature is less stable;
- Close the bottle tightly after use to limit contamination;
- Consume milk within the recommended time frame depending on its type (UHT, pasteurized, raw);
- Buy small quantities if consumption is low. This prevents the opened bottle from remaining in the fridge for too long;
- Do not expose milk to direct light to preserve its vitamins and quality;
- Finally, transfer the unopened milk at room temperature (for UHT only) to a cool, dry place away from light.
Last practical advice which will allow you to no longer doubt: note in marker on the bottle the day it was opened. “We always do this between colleagues in the emergency room, when we share drinks“, admits Dr. Gérald Kierzek. You can also reproduce this little tip at home!