Frequently Asked Questions
Click a question to view the answer:
- Q: What does the date on a container mean?
- A: The "Sell By" date means that the product should remain fresh up to that date when unopened and properly stored.
- Q: How long will the product last after the expiration date?
- A: Dairy products are very perishable. For best quality, you should use the product before the expiration or "Sell By" date. The number of times the product has been opened and resealed and the amount of time left out of the refrigerator during each use impacts how long it will last. Also, drinking straight from the container affects perishability as bacteria from your mouth may cause the product to spoil faster. Your sense of smell and taste are great indicators of how fresh the product is. If the product looks, smells and tastes OK, it is probably fine to eat or drink.
- Q: Can refrigerator temperature effect the shelf life of milk?
- A: Yes, the temperature of your refrigerator definitely effects the shelf life of dairy. Setting the temperature at 38 degrees should ensure a shelf life of seven days beyond the "sell by code" stamped on the bottle.
- Q: How long should the product last after opening?
- A: How long a product lasts after opening depends on several things:
- How close to the "Sell By" date the product was originally opened.
- How many times it has been opened and resealed.
- How long it is out of the refrigerator or freezer each time.
- Whether the product was consumed directly from the container..
Milk should remain fresh 5-7 days after opening when treated properly. If you open milk for the first time on or near the "Sell By" date, the milk may not last this long.
- Q: What dairy products can I freeze?
- A: Follow these general guidelines:
- Milk - Can be frozen for up to 30 days. You may detect some off flavors after thawing. Always thaw frozen milk in the refrigerator.
- Dips and dressings - Freezing of dips is not recommended as it will change the appearance and texture of the products. They may become grainy and watery.
- Cottage cheese - When cottage cheese is frozen, ice crystals swell and break the curd structure, resulting in a mushy, watery texture when thawed.
- Sour cream - For most sour creams, freezing is not recommended because it will change the appearance and texture of the product, which may become grainy and watery.
- Fat-free sour creams tend to be more freeze/thaw-stable than low-fat or regular sour cream. For best quality, do not freeze.
- Creams - Whipping cream will not whip up properly if it has been frozen.
- Eggnog - You can freeze eggnog for later use, although you may detect some off flavors after thawing. Always thaw frozen product in the refrigerator.
- Q: Does chocolate milk contain caffeine?
- A: Yes, chocolate milk contains about 3.7 mg. of caffeine per 8-ounce serving, or 7.5 mg. per 12-ounce serving. A 12-once serving of root beer has about 23 mg. of caffeine, while brewed coffee has 203 mg.
- Q: Do dairy products contain sugar?
- A: Many dairy products contain lactose, the sugar naturally present in milk. Sugars are not listed on product nutrition panels unless other sugars have been added.
Nutrition FAQ
- Q: At what age is it important to drink milk?
- A: Beyond building strong bones and preventing osteoporosis, recent research has shown that eating lowfat dairy food has many health benefits, including helping to reduce your risk of high blood pressure as well as to help better manage your weight by aiding in the body’s metabolism.
- Q: What benefits does milk provide, other than helping to build and strengthen bones?
- A: Starting at age one, it is recommended that people of all ages get 3 servings of dairy every day. The National Academy of Sciences recommends the following calcium intake levels:
- Kids ages 1-3 need 500 mg of calcium a day, the equivalent of about two 8-oz. glasses of milk.
- Kids ages 4-8 need 800 mg of calcium a day, or about three 8-oz. glasses of milk.
- Teens ages 9-18 need 1,300 mg of calcium a day, or about four 8-oz. glasses of milk.
- Adults ages 19-50 need 1,000 mg of calcium a day, the equivalent of drinking at least three 8-oz. glasses of milk.
- Adults over the age of 50 need 1,200 mg of calcium a day, the equivalent of drinking four 8-oz. glasses of milk.
- Q: What nutrients are provided in milk?
- A: Milk provides eight nutrients essential for good health. Milk is one of the best sources of calcium because it also provides vitamin D, which helps the body absorb calcium. Milk is also an excellent source of calcium, vitamin D, riboflavin, and phosphorus and a good source of potassium, vitamin A, vitamin B12, niacin and protein.