Powdered milk, also known as dried milk, is a practical way to store and use milk. By removing the moisture from fresh milk, powdered milk can be stored for much longer periods of time without spoiling. However, even powdered milk has an expiration date that indicates when it may start to lose quality and flavor. Here are some tips on how to tell if your powdered milk is expired.
Check the Expiration Date
The first and easiest way to tell if powdered milk is expired is to check the expiration date printed on the packaging. This date indicates how long the manufacturer guarantees the product will retain its optimal quality when stored properly. For powdered milk, the shelf life is generally around 6 months to 1 year from the production date. If your powdered milk is past the printed expiration date, it is time to discard it.
Inspect the Color and Consistency
Fresh powdered milk should have a uniformly light cream color. As it starts to expire, the color may become more yellow or grayish. Expired powdered milk may also develop some clumping or inconsistencies in texture. Any change from the original smooth, uniform powder indicates the milk is past its prime.
Give it a Sniff
Fresh powdered milk has a characteristic mild, creamy aroma. If the powder gives off strange odors like sour milk, burnt milk, or chemical smells, it has likely gone bad. Rancid powdered milk gives off a distinctive unpleasant smell.
Check for Moisture
One way powdered milk goes bad is by absorbing moisture during storage. Check for signs of dampness or clumping of the powder, which indicates spoilage. Properly stored powdered milk should flow freely.
Taste a Small Amount
The best way to test if your powdered milk has expired is to add a small amount to water and do a taste test. Fresh powdered milk will mix smoothly and have a pleasant, sweet flavor. Expired milk may taste sour, bitter, or “off” in some way. However, do not consume large amounts of milk that you suspect has spoiled, as it could cause illness.
Watch for Changes After Reconstitution
Once mixed with water according to package directions, fresh powdered milk will have a smooth, creamy texture with no separation. Spoiled reconstituted milk may look curdled, lumpy, watery or separated. Additionally, properly mixed powdered milk should have no odor. If the mixed milk smells bad, it is likely expired.
Consider How It Was Stored
How powdered milk was stored can affect how long it stays fresh past the printed expiration date. To get the longest shelf life, it should be stored in a cool, dry place sealed in an airtight container. High heat and humidity will shorten its freshness. If it was not stored properly, it may spoil sooner than the expiration date.
Safely Store Powdered Milk
To extend the shelf life of powdered milk and ensure you can use the entire container before it expires, follow these tips:
- Store in a cool, dry place around 55°F to prolong freshness.
- Keep container tightly sealed in an airtight container or original packaging.
- Keep away from direct sunlight, heat sources, and moisture.
- Write the date of purchase on the container for reference.
- Set a reminder to use within 6-12 months after purchase.
- Store unmixed powdered milk in the refrigerator after opening.
- Discard any clumpy or stale-smelling powdered milk.
Common Signs Powdered Milk Has Expired
Here is a quick summary of the most common signs that indicate your powdered milk is no longer fresh:
- Passed expiration date
- Dry, caked powder
- Yellow or gray color
- Rancid or sour odor
- Damp, clumpy texture
- Bitter or “off” flavor
- Reconstituted milk is lumpy or separated
- Reconstituted milk tastes spoiled
What to Do With Expired Powdered Milk
If your powdered milk has expired, do not consume it as it may make you sick. Here are some options for what to do with the expired milk powder:
- Compost it if the powder has not been contaminated and is not growing mold.
- Throw it in the trash if it smells rancid or shows signs of mold growth.
- Use very small amounts for cooking or baking if it has simply just expired but does not smell or taste rancid.
- Return unopened containers to the store if it has not been opened yet.
Expired powdered milk can be used in small quantities for purposes besides drinking, such as:
- Mix into pancake or waffle batter.
- Blend into milkshakes or smoothies.
- Stir into cream soups or chowders.
- Add to cookie, cake, bread, muffin mixes.
- Use in place of buttermilk for soaking meats.
Can Expired Powdered Milk Make You Sick?
Consuming powdered milk after the expiration date can come with health risks. As powdered milk ages and goes bad, harmful bacteria like Bacillus cereus and Staphylococcus aureus can start to grow, producing toxins that cause food poisoning symptoms. Common symptoms of consuming expired powdered milk include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Stomach cramps
- Fever
Severe reactions are more common in infants, elderly, pregnant women, and those with compromised immune systems. To avoid getting sick, it is not recommended to drink or cook with powdered milk that is past the expiration and showing signs of spoilage.
How Long Does Powdered Milk Last After Opening?
Once opened, the shelf life of powdered milk is shortened. An opened package or container should remain fresh for:
- Non-fat powdered milk: 3-4 months
- Whole powdered milk: 2-3 months
To maximize freshness after opening, re-seal the powdered milk storage container tightly or repackage it in an airtight container. Store in a cool, dry place and try to use within a few months. Write the opened date on the container for reference. Properly stored, opened powdered milk should retain good quality and flavor for several months past the sell-by date.
Does Powdered Milk Go Bad or Just Lose Nutrients?
Powdered milk can both go bad in terms of safety and lose nutritional value as it ages past the expiration date. As harmful bacteria grow, expired powdered milk becomes unsafe to drink or cook with. Enzymatic activity also degrades the proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals over time so you lose nutritional benefits.
The proteins, carbohydrates, and fats in powdered milk undergo oxidation and degradation reactions even when properly stored. Over time, the structure of these nutrients changes and the powder becomes less nutritious. Vitamins A, C, B vitamins, and folic acid are most prone to breakdown. Minerals like calcium and iron remain relatively stable.
For best nutrition, use powdered milk within the first year of purchase and by the expiration date. After this point, throw away expired powdered milk even if it still looks or smells okay, as toxic microbial growth is a risk.
How to Store Powdered Milk for Maximum Freshness
Powdered milk has an inherently long shelf life of 6-12 months. You can maximize the freshness and shelf life by storing it properly. Here are some tips for keeping powdered milk from expiring too quickly:
- Store in a cool, dry place around 55°F, never above 75°F.
- Keep powder very dry by storing in an airtight container.
- Avoid humidity which causes clumping.
- Keep away from direct sunlight and heat sources.
- Write the purchase or opened date on the container.
- Store in original packaging or sealed plastic, glass, or foil bags.
- Don’t freeze or refrigerate before opening.
With ideal dry, cool storage, unopened powdered milk can last 9-12 months past the labeled expiration date. Once opened, it will last around 3-4 months in the pantry. Proper storage is key to maximizing the shelf life and freshness.
Does Powdered Milk Need Refrigeration After Opening?
Before mixing with water, powdered milk can be safely stored unrefrigerated. The low moisture content creates an unfavorable environment for microbial growth. For best quality though, it should be kept in a cool, dry place.
Once reconstituted with water, powdered milk should be handled like fresh milk. Rehydrated powdered milk requires refrigeration and should be used within a few days. Leave the mixed milk at room temperature too long and it can spoil quickly. Follow fresh milk storage guidelines.
Some people transfer opened powdered milk into the refrigerator or freezer for even longer freshness. This further inhibits moisture absorption and oxidation but is not required if using promptly.
Can You Use Expired Powdered Milk in Baking and Cooking?
Small amounts of expired powdered milk that is not clumpy or rancid can be safely used for baking and cooking applications. The heat from baking or cooking destroys potentially harmful bacteria, making it safer to consume. However, there are some things to consider:
- Only use slightly expired milk, not milk that is years past its date.
- Do not drink glass of reconstituted expired milk.
- The flavor will be inferior to fresh milk.
- Nutritional content degrades over time.
- Limit to recipes where milk is not a main ingredient.
- Avoid in recipes using uncooked dairy like ice cream.
In general, you can substitute small amounts of expired powdered milk for fresh milk in baked goods like cookies, cakes, breads, and pastries. Heat from the oven helps kill bacteria. However, the milk may alter the flavor, color, or texture of the end result. Always inspect and smell powder before using.
Does Powdered Milk Need to be Refrigerated After Reconstitution?
One of the main reasons powdered milk lasts so long is the lack of moisture in the powder. Adding water reintroduces moisture necessary for bacteria growth. For food safety, reconstituted powdered milk needs to be handled like fresh milk.
After mixing powdered milk with water according to package directions, it should be stored in the refrigerator in a sealed container. Only make as much as you plan to consume within a few days. Rehydrated powdered milk left out too long at room temperature can quickly spoil.
Follow these reconstituted powdered milk storage guidelines:
- Refrigerate within 2 hours of mixing.
- Discard any unused portion after 3-5 days.
- Do not return unused milk to original powder container.
- Do not save reconstituted milk beyond 1 week.
Dried milk powder may not require refrigeration, but liquid milk does. Rehydrated powdered milk is a perishable product and must be stored in the refrigerator to prevent bacterial overgrowth.
Tips for Using Up Powdered Milk Before It Expires
Since powdered milk has a limited shelf life between 6-12 months, here are some tips for using it up before it expires:
- Write the purchase date on containers for reference.
- Store opened powdered milk in smaller containers to use promptly.
- Incorporate into smoothies, milkshakes, and protein shakes.
- Use when baking bread, muffins, waffles, pancakes, or cookies.
- Whisk into hot cereals like oatmeal and cream of wheat.
- Stir into soups, chilies, casseroles, mashed potatoes.
- Mix into homemade yogurt for added protein.
- Use when making homemade pudding or custard.
- Whisk into basic cream sauce or bechamel.
Be sure to clearly label any containers of powdered milk with purchase date and use within 6-12 months. Rotate stock to use oldest containers first. With some creativity, you can use up powdered milk before expiration.
Conclusion
Checking the freshness of powdered milk relies heavily on the senses – sight, smell and taste. Visually look for color changes, moisture or texture issues. Give it a sniff to detect rancid odors. Small taste tests will reveal bitterness, sourness or “off” flavors. Watch for lumping or separating if reconstituted. Checking the expiration date is important, but storage conditions also play a role.
Expired milk may be unsafe to drink or eat in large quantities. However, small amounts can be useful for cooking and baking. With proper cool, dry storage, powdered milk can maintain quality well beyond the sell-by date. But once expired, it is best to discard clumpy or rancid powdered milk. Being aware of signs of freshness and using opened containers promptly helps you avoid finding old, expired powder.
