How Long Does Powdered Milk Last? Does it Go Bad?

Finding old stored bags of powdered milk is common as we use them frequently.

This is because we buy them in bulk and forget about their storage period.

But now the question arises that do powdered milk go bad, or how long it can serve you?

Many people consider the best-by date as the solution and do not use the milk if the best-by date has lapsed.

However, that is necessary as this date is an estimation given by the manufacturer till people can attain the taste of powdered milk with the best quality.

What is Powdered Milk?

This is milk that goes under pasteurization and evaporation to convert it into dried form.

One can get a wide variety of powdered milk such as whole, skim, non-dairy milk, and many others available in the market.

These are most likely to be used during baking to maintain the thickness of the cake batter.

Compared to milk, its powdered form is long-lasting and is much easier to store.

Therefore it is popular in places where the availability of fresh milk is lower.

This milk also contains numerous nutrients like calcium, potassium, phosphorous, protein, amino acid, and a lot more.

These will help you to improve the formation of bones.

When you are eating good calcium, then your body needs vitamin D to absorb that calcium that gets from powdered milk.

This will also help you reduce the risk of heart-related diseases.

How Long Does Powdered Milk Last? Does Powdered Milk Go Bad?

One needs to understand that best by date is not the expiring period.

It only reflects the time of milk when it offers top quality.

However, if you keep the powdered milk stored correctly, you can preserve its quality for a longer time, even beyond the date provided by the manufacturer.

Also, if the storage is favorable, then it can spoil earlier than the date.

The full-fat powdered milk can generally be kept in the pantry for 1 to 2 years beyond the best-by date.

No matter if the milk pack is opened or closed, it can serve you for this period, but the storing measures should be proper for an open container.

On the other hand, if it is no-fat powdered milk, then you can expect it to serve you for 2 to 4 years.

One needs to store this powder in the pantry for more extended storage.

You only have to use the fridge for storage if you have mixed powder milk, as one can save it for 2 to 3 days only at a cool temperature.

Although the date of manufacturing on the pack of powdered milk is 1 to 2 years, with good storage, this shelf life can be extended easily.

How to Tell if Powdered Milk Has Gone Bad?

• Infested with Pests

As storage in a pantry is advised thus, people store the milk in their kitchen cupboard.

Many kitchen cupboards are infested with bugs; therefore, as soon as you keep the pack, they get into the pack and make it bad.

Therefore if you can see any holes or small openings in the pack, then be sure to discard it immediately as it contains bugs and pests.

• Growth of Clumps

For every powder-like content, moisture is very bad.

Thus, one needs to pay attention that their pack must not be in contact with moisture.

If the pack is opened, it’s hard to save it from liquid or water; thus, the powder develops clumps.

So you can check your milk powder; if it contains molds or lumps, it’s obviously gone bad, and you should throw the pack out.

• Taste the Milk

When you are unsure about the time period of storage and keeps on prolonging the storage of milk, it will affect the taste of milk.

So you can try to taste the milk, and if it does not offer a similar taste, then the milk has gone bad.

As milk includes high-fat content thus, at the time of storage, it is rancid after a specific period.

How to Store Powdered Milk?

• Transfer to an Airtight Jar

This milk is prone to go bad if it comes in contact with even a little moisture.

Therefore, you need to use an airtight container as they are entirely sealed, and your milk will be safe there.

By this, you can also preserve the milk from moisture, air, and pest infection.

• Keep Away From Direct Sunlight

The milk is processed at a high temperature, so it will begin to degrade faster when it gets in direct sunlight.

That is because excess heat breakdown the compounds of milk, and the pace of the oxidation process increases as the storage period increases.

• Choose a Cool and Dry Place for Storage

When you are storing powdered milk, then you need to make sure that the place is cool and dry.

This will help you to eliminate bad factors like moisture and heat.

The spot or area you are choosing for the storage must contain a temperature of around 10 degrees or less to increase the shelf life of powdered milk.

Conclusion

By following the earlier mentioned information, one can prolong milk powder storage and retain its quality over time.

One can also use a Ziploc bag if they do not have an airtight container, just add the original pack to the Ziploc bag and store it anywhere.

If you have frozen the milk, one does not have to defrost the powder, as it can moisten the milk.