Powdered milk, also known as dried milk, is a shelf-stable dairy product made by removing most of the water from fresh milk. The process leaves behind the nutrients found in fresh milk in a concentrated, powdered form. Powdered milk has a much longer shelf life than liquid milk and does not require refrigeration. But does powdered milk go bad once the package is opened? Let’s take a closer look.
Does powdered milk expire?
Like most food products, powdered milk does have an expiration date. This date refers to how long the powdered milk will retain optimal quality and flavor when stored properly. As long as the package remains sealed, powdered milk can typically last between 6 months to 2 years past the printed expiration date.
However, once opened, the shelf life decreases. Exposure to oxygen and humidity causes powdered milk to deteriorate more rapidly. So while an unopened package can last for years, opened powdered milk has a shorter shelf life.
How long does opened powdered milk last?
Several factors determine how long opened powdered milk will stay fresh and usable:
- Storage method – Powdered milk stored in an airtight container in the pantry will last longer than milk left in the original packaging or a container with a loose-fitting lid.
- Temperature – Cool, dry storage extends shelf life. Storage in hot, humid conditions speeds up deterioration.
- Package date – Fresher powdered milk stored properly will keep longer than older milk or milk stored incorrectly.
- Type of powdered milk – Ultra high-temperature (UHT) treated milk in foil pouches has a typical shelf life of 2-3 years when sealed. Once opened, it lasts about 3-4 months. Traditional roller dried milk lasts about 2 years sealed, and 4-6 months opened.
Most sources estimate that if properly stored, opened powdered milk will stay fresh for:
- Whole powdered milk: 4-6 months
- Nonfat powdered milk: 6-9 months
- Powdered creamer: 9-12 months
How to maximize shelf life after opening
To get the most shelf life out of your opened powdered milk, be sure to:
- Transfer to an airtight container or resealable bag. This prevents moisture and humidity from entering.
- Store in a cool, dry place. The refrigerator works if space allows. Otherwise, store in a dark pantry.
- Keep storage container clean and dry. Any powdered milk remnants or moisture could cause early spoilage.
- Use clean and dry utensils to remove powdered milk. Don’t introduce any contaminants.
- Write the opening date on the container for reference.
Signs powdered milk has gone bad
Powdered milk is relatively shelf-stable, but it can go bad eventually. Signs that opened powdered milk may be expired or spoiled include:
- Appearance: Significant color changes, clumping of powder, wet/damp powder
- Texture: Hardness, chunks, powder does not dissolve smoothly
- Smell: Sour, unpleasant, chemical odors
- Taste: Sour, bitter, rancid, unpleasant flavors
- Mold: Presence of fuzzy growth anywhere in container or powder
If your powdered milk displays any of these characteristics, it has likely expired and should be discarded.
Is spoiled powdered milk safe to consume?
Consuming expired powdered milk is not recommended. The nutrients in powdered milk deteriorate over time, even if the product shows no outward signs of spoilage. Nutritional quality and flavor decline.
Contaminated powdered milk could also potentially cause foodborne illness if consumed. Bacteria like Bacillus cereus, Salmonella, and E. coli can generate in old, expired powdered milk. Consuming rancid powdered milk can cause stomach upset, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
So avoid sampling questionable powdered milk. Stick to powdered milk that has been stored properly and used by the recommended opened shelf life.
Ways to use up powdered milk before it expires
To avoid waste, here are some ideas for using up your powdered milk promptly after opening:
- Add to baked goods like breads, muffins, cookies, cakes, pancakes
- Mix into casseroles, soups, sauces, gravies
- Stir into coffee, tea, hot chocolate
- Blend into smoothies
- Use when making homemade play dough
- Mix up homemade instant pudding mixes
Powdered milk is very versatile in cooking and baking. Get creative with recipes to use it up while it’s still fresh and tasty.
Does powdered milk need to be refrigerated after opening?
Refrigeration is not strictly necessary for opened powdered milk if you store it properly in an airtight container in a cool, dry location. However, the refrigerator is ideal for prolonging freshness after opening.
Some key advantages to refrigerating opened powdered milk:
- Keeps milk away from temperature fluctuations
- Creates consistently cool, dry storage
- Prevents humidity from reaching powder
- Slows down fat oxidation that causes rancid flavors
- Discourages microbial growth by chilling milk
For best quality and safety, store opened powdered milk in the refrigerator if space allows. But proper pantry storage can also effectively prolong shelf life.
Can you freeze powdered milk to extend shelf life?
Freezing is not an effective method for extending powdered milk’s shelf life once open. The freezing process can actually degrade the quality of powdered milk in these ways:
- Causes moisture condensation on the powder which accelerates spoilage
- Leads to clumping as milk particles stick together
- Alters the texture so powder is less soluble
- Affects flavor causing off-tastes
Rather than freeze opened powdered milk, best practice is to store it in an airtight container in the pantry or fridge. This keeps the powder dry and protected.
Does reheating powdered milk make it last longer?
Unfortunately, reheating opened powdered milk does not extend the shelf life. In fact, reconstituting powdered milk into liquid milk reduces how long it will stay fresh because:
- Moisture is reintroduced which encourages spoilage
- Harmful bacteria can multiply faster in reconstituted milk
- Light and air degrade liquid milk over time
- Nutrients like vitamins C and B oxidize and degrade faster
Once reconstituted, powdered milk should be stored and used like regular milk. Drink reconstituted milk within 7-10 days and don’t reheat multiple times.
Should you smell and taste test old powdered milk?
It’s not recommended to rely on smell or taste alone to determine if opened powdered milk has spoiled. Powdered milk can grow dangerous bacteria without exhibiting warning signs like foul odors or flavors.
To avoid risk of foodborne illness, it’s safest to discard opened powdered milk by the printed expiration date or recommended opened shelf lives. Don’t consume powdered milk that is significantly past it’s prime.
If powdered milk smells or tastes rancid, sour, or unpleasant in any way, err on the side of caution and throw it out. However, normal scent and flavor isn’t a guarantee that powdered milk is safe to eat or drink.
How to store powdered milk for longest shelf life
To maximize freshness and shelf life, both opened and unopened powdered milk should be stored:
- In a cool, dry place around 50-70°F
- In an airtight container or original packaging
- In a dark cupboard or pantry away from light
- Away from moisture, humidity and direct heat
Avoid storing powdered milk in humid spots like near the stove, oven, or dishwasher. These conditions shorten shelf life.
Check containers for any moisture inside. Wipe completely dry before resealing powdered milk. Keep storage areas clean to prevent contamination.
With optimal storage methods, unopened powdered milk lasts 12-24 months past the printed best by date. Once opened, whole and nonfat milk powders stay fresh for about 6 months if properly stored and handled.
FAQs
Can you restore stale powdered milk?
Unfortunately, there is no reliable way to restore powdered milk that has gone stale from age or improper storage. The nutrients degrade over time so staleness cannot be reversed.
Can you make fresh milk from old powdered milk?
Reconstituting expired powdered milk into fresh milk is not recommended. The resulting milk could contain harmful bacterial growth and cause illness if consumed. Always discard powdered milk that is past expiration.
Is it necessary to store powdered milk in the freezer?
No, freezing is not required. The ideal storage for powdered milk is in a cool, dry pantry or cupboard. As long as stored properly away from moisture, heat, and light, powdered milk stays fresh without freezing.
Does powdered milk need to be used by the expiration date when sealed?
No, dried milk powder retains optimal quality and flavor for 6 months – 2 years past the printed expiration date as long as the package remains fully sealed. The expiration refers more to opened powdered milk.
Can you substitute fresh milk for powdered milk in recipes?
Yes, fresh milk can be substituted for powdered milk in most recipes. Use the same reconstitution ratio of 1/3 cup powder + 1 cup water = 1 cup liquid milk. Adjust the liquid content to account for the added fresh milk.
Conclusion
While powdered milk has an impressive shelf life compared to fresh milk, it does eventually expire and go bad. Properly stored, sealed powdered milk lasts about 2 years past the printed date. But once opened, powdered milk only stays fresh for 4-12 months.
To retain optimal quality and safety, store powdered milk in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. Refrigeration can help extend the shelf life after opening. Discard any powdered milk that smells odd, changes texture, or shows signs of moisture or spoilage.
With adequate storage conditions and careful handling, powdered milk can remain usable for recipes and drinking for months after opening. But use opened containers promptly for the best freshness and flavor.
