Is it safe to freeze milk?

TOI Lifestyle Desk / etimes.in / Jan 9, 2025, 22:29 IST

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Refrigerated milk can last up to seven days, and up to three months if frozen immediately after purchase. Lactose-free milk should be consumed within a week of opening and isn’t recommended for freezing. Frozen milk may have altered taste and texture, making it better suited for cooking or baking.

How many times have you opened the refrigerator in the morning only to find the milk expired - sometimes when it's even unopened? Wouldn't it be great if there were a way to prevent milk from spoiling? What about freezing milk?
We often freeze certain foods to increase their shelf life. Can the same be applied to milk and milk products?
Milk can be frozen. Most of the milk we consume can be frozen and later used. United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) says that milk can be refrigerated for seven days; buttermilk, for about two weeks. Milk or buttermilk may be frozen for about three months.

(Pic courtesy: iStock)

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), both plain and flavoured milk should be consumed by the package use-by date for freshness and quality. You can also freeze it from the date of purchase, for up to 3 months.

(Pic courtesy: iStock)

If you buy lactose-free milk, it's best to consume it within one week if refrigerated after opening. The Food Safety Department does not recommend freezing lactose-free milk.
Most of nutritionists and health experts recommend consuming milk by its ‘best by’ date. Though freezing and then consuming milk is safe, there are some points you must keep in mind.

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From a nutritional perspective, frozen milk and fresh milk are nearly identical.
Transfer the milk to an air-tight, freezer-safe bag or container for freezing. This way, the risk of package rupturing can be prevented.
To defrost the milk, do not place it at room temperature. Instead defrost the milk overnight in the fridge, to avoid bacterial contamination.
If you are planning to cook with the milk, you can defrost it directly into the pot or pan you are cooking.
Frozen milk may not have the same taste and texture. The freezing might result in fat separation. So, it may not be pleasant enough to use as a beverage. Instead, you can incorporate it to cook, bake or make smoothies.

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Milk products

(Pic courtesy: iStock)

Yogurt can be stored in the refrigerator at 40 ºF for one or two weeks and can be frozen at 0 ºF for one to two months.
Soft cheeses such as cottage cheese, ricotta, or Brie can be refrigerated for one week. However, they can’t be frozen.
You can store hard cheeses such as cheddar, Swiss, and Parmesan in the refrigerator for six months before opening the package, and three to four weeks after opening. It can be frozen for six months.
Processed cheese can be refrigerated for one or two months, but it does not freeze well.
Sour cream is safe to be refrigerated for one to three weeks, but can’t be frozen. (Pic courtesy: iStock)

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TOI Lifestyle Desk

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