Milk Unleashed: UHT & Tetra Pak Makes for Shelf Safe Milk

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I received a sample for this review. All opinions are my own.

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What do you get when you combine the process of pasteurizing milk at ultra high temperatures (UHT) and the time-tested technology of Tetra Pak containers?  (No, this is not the beginning of a joke, but it is the beginning of helping to make sure that kids get the vitamins and nutrients of milk anytime, anywhere!) Give up?  You get…”Milk Unleashed“!  Milk you can drink anywhere, anytime because it has been released from the constraints of necessary refrigeration!

This shelf-safe milk has been specially packaged and can be stored for months on the shelf without any refrigeration.  It’s the same type of Grade A, nutritious real milk that you buy in the refrigerated gallons at the grocery, except this milk has been ultra-pasteurized (flash heated at higher temps) to eliminate bacteria and then packaged in Tetra Pak containers.

These Tetra Pak containers (you know, those same type containers as the juice boxes, broth boxes, etc) keep light and air and other contaminates out, so the milk stays fresh and safe without the use of preservatives.

Although many of us here in the US are not familiar with shelf safe milk, it has actually been around since the late 1960’s, and has been and continues to be the most popular way to drink milk in Europe and many other countries for years and years. It is just now becoming popular in the US.

Without the need for refrigeration, milk can be taken along anywhere we go which is perfect for today’s busy lifestyle.  Now children can get more servings of the nutrition dairy provides wherever they go;   whether its on vacation, to the park, to sporting events, or even for lunch at school.

In fact one 8 ounce carton of shelf safe milk has 8 grams of protein and 9 essential nutrients including calcium, Vitamins A, D, B12, , phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, riboflavin, niacin and zinc!  Plus, busy moms will also appreciate the fact that you no longer have to worry about running out of milk because you can easily buy shelf safe milk in bulk and store it until you need it!

I was sent a great selection of shelf safe milk made by several different popular, trusted brands for review, and I must admit I was extremely skeptical, maybe even a tad nervous, about trying it!  The box was filled with individual containers of chocolate milk, white chocolate milk, strawberry milk and white milk by Hershey’s, Organic Valley, Borden and Cow Wow, all packaged in the Tetra Pak containers.

I immediately went and put several in the refrigerator to chill before giving them a try, while the rest went into the cabinet.

Just like the juice boxes we are all familiar with, the milk containers were single sized servings with a straw attached.  The first time I opened one, out of habit I had to smell of it, on one level expecting a sour milk smell and taste.

Instead I tasted delicious, ice-cold milk as fresh as if it came from a refrigerated gallon!  I was further surprised to learn that many will not expire for several months, and others not until next year!  What a great concept this is!

And for all of us green moms, Tetra Pak cartons are quite eco-friendly.  They are made from 70% paper from selectively harvested, regrown trees and are completely recyclable.  Not only that, but since shelf safe milk does not require refrigeration for distribution or storage, less energy is used, and stores don’t require deliveries as frequently.  Less frequent deliveries means fewer trucks on the road which means less CO2 emissions! Shelf Safe milk is truly eco-friendly.

More and more dairies and retailers are offering shelf safe milk.  It comes in both multi-serve and single serve containers, as well as a wide variety of flavors.  You can find both organic and non-organic, as well as lactose-free and nutritionally enhanced.

The most likely place to find it will depend on the individual store.  Some place it on shelves near the refrigerated milk, while others place it alongside non-milk beverages and Tetra Pak cartons like soy, almond and rice milks.  I have also seen it in the section with canned and powdered milk and cereals.

On the Milk Unleashed website, under the Where to Buy section, you will find a detailed list of brands along with the option to search for your local retailers.  You can also purchase several brands on Amazon.

For more information about Milk Unleashed, including a fun app with tips, games and other activities, visit https://www.milkunleashed.com/.

What do you think about shelf-safe milk?  How can it help you save time?