Imagine waking up, making your coffee, opening up the fridge noticing something important is missing. You then turn around and see that your milk sitting on the counter, and it has been sitting there since yesterday. I’m sure you’re wondering if it’s safe for you to drink the milk or if you should dispose of it.
You should never drink milk that has been left out overnight. Milk can quickly spoil at room temperature and become potentially dangerous for consumption. To be safe, if you left your milk out overnight, throw it away.
Milk can become curdled, sweaty, yellow, and smell rather disgusting when it spoils. However, there’s an essential distinction between sour and spoiled milk, and it’s important to understand the difference! Don’t worry; we have the answers for you.
How Long Can Milk Be Left at Room Temperature?
Milk should not be left out for longer than 2 hours at room temperature. If you left it out and are uncertain of how long it has been, check the room temperature and the internal temperature of the milk. It should be safe if the milk is still at 40 degrees Fahrenheit (4 degrees Celsius).
Milk should be refrigerated as soon as possible after purchase. The Food and Drug Association states that any perishable food or drink left out for longer than 2 hours should not be consumed.
This is because perishable drinks accumulate high bacteria levels after they reach over 40 degrees (4 degrees C). Anything between 34 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit (1-4 degrees Celsius) is the ideal temperature for bacteria to grow and propagate.
If you notice the room temperature is over 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32 degrees Celsius), you should throw out milk left out for as little as 1 hour. The bacteria in the milk grows much faster since the internal temperature of the milk warms up much faster.
What About UHT Milk?
UHT Milk stands for “ultra-high temperature” which refers to the method of sterilization. In the United States, milk is usually pasteurized (although not always), which kills most bacteria. But, it is not usually sterilized at UHT levels.
In other countries, such as many nations in Europe and South America, milk can be kept on the shelf at room temperature. Once opened, it must be refrigerated but can be stored for up to 6 months at room temperature.
However, in the United States, milk must be kept in the fridge after it is processed. Since it is not treated with UHT levels of sterilization, it can generate bacteria quickly and go bad fast.
Therefore, if you purchase shelf-stable milk, you don’t need to refrigerate it until after it’s opened. Once opened it follows the same safety standards as pasteurized milk.
How Can You Tell If Milk Has Gone Bad?
Milk will typically exhibit a pungent taste and smell after it goes bad. Physical signs include chunks of sour curds in the milk and a watery sheen on top of the milk. However, you should not depend upon this solely since it can take some time for the bacteria to turn the milk.
The lactose lactic acid in the milk starts to get consumed by the harmful bacteria and creates a watery, sour, and unpleasant experience. This could indicate the presence of listeria, E. Coli, and salmonella.
However, it Is important to know that although the terms spoiled and sour are used interchangeably, they aren’t the same thing. Spoiled milk is dangerous to drink, while sour milk is not technically dangerous.
What is Spoiled Milk?
Spoiled Milk can occur in pasteurized milk if either a dangerous strain of bacteria resists the pasteurization process or enters the milk another way. Bacteria can also enter the milk if it was left open and incubated in the milk.
This is why you should never stick your fingers in your milk carton, should always tightly close the lid, and shouldn’t leave an unopened container of milk in the fridge. If you lose the lid, you can cover the jug with plastic wrap, tin foil, or some other covering material.
Spoiled milk is dangerous to drink and likely has listeria, E. coli, or other bacteria that cause food poisoning. This is why it’s better not to risk drinking sour-tasting milk.
Meanwhile, sour milk can cause a stomach ache, but it won’t necessarily carry dangerous bacteria. Yogurt, after all, is technically sour milk.
However, yogurt is made with safe bacteria, which helps our bodies digest food properly. It is hard for an untrained person to distinguish sour milk and spoiled milk, so be very careful if you decide to try making yogurt.
What Can Happen If You Drink Milk That’s Been Out Overnight?
Drinking milk that’s been left out overnight can cause food poisoning, which can be very dangerous. Symptoms of food poisoning include vomiting, cramps, cold sweat, and fevers.
Most cases of food poisoning are uncomfortable and rough, but they aren’t deadly. Most people will stop experiencing symptoms after seven days, but it can kill people.
This is especially true for children, elderly people, and pregnant women. Consuming contaminated food can cause severe cases of diarrhea and vomiting which may result in severe dehydration.
If you have food poisoning, you should definitely stock up on electrolyte-infused water or drinks. Avoid coffee and try to drink tea to help bind your stool and alleviate your stomach pains.
How Should Milk Be Stored?
Milk should be stored in the refrigerator on the bottom shelf. The bottom shelf is believed to be the coldest area of the fridge, which should keep the temperature below 40 degrees. And, make sure you do not keep the jug on the door or in the front of the fridge.
You should avoid keeping the milk carton on the fridge door to prevent it from being exposed to the warm air when you open the fridge. Every time you expose it to warm room temperatures, you potentially increase the risk of bacteria developing and increasing.
Additionally, keep the milk towards the back of the fridge for the same reason. You want to keep it as cold as possible without freezing it.
If you have shelf-stable milk(UHT milk), then you should keep it in a cool, dark, dry place until you’re ready to use it. If you leave the milk in a damp area, then the carton could be compromised, allowing bacteria to enter.
You should also keep it out of direct sunlight. Direct sunlight can also damage the integrity of the carton. It will also change the temperature of the environment where the milk is kept which can disrupt the proper storage of the milk.
How Long Does Milk Last?
Milk can usually last between 4-and 7 days after it is opened as long as it is kept at 40 degrees. If the expiration date is reached before this time period, however, then make sure you throw it out.
Unlike some foods where this date is simply a “recommended sell-by date”, the expiration date on milk is a spoilage date.
Unopened milk will last longer, however. And, the lower the fat content of the milk the longer it is likely to last.
Unopened, whole milk will likely last 5-7 days. Unopened, 2% fat milk will likely last a week. Unopened, skim milk will likely last 7-10 days.
If you need to transport your milk, make sure you keep it in a cool place out of the sunlight. If it takes you more than 30 minutes to drive home from the grocery store than you should keep it stored in an insulated bag.
Or, you can transport your milk in an ice cooler used at the beach or in picnics. If you need to bring milk with you and won’t have access to a refrigerator then keep your milk in this container and fill it with ice. Make sure the ice covers the top of the milk and surrounds every side.
How Long will Other Milk and Milk Alternatives Last?
Unopened, UHT Milk can last up to 6 months at room temperature. Opened, UHT Milk can last up to a week in the refrigerator.
Unopened non-dairy milk that is shelf-stable will last up to 1 month. Unopened, refrigerated non-dairy milk will last 7-10 days. Opened, refrigerated non-dairy milk will last about 5-7 days.
Heavy cream will last up to 7-10 days before opening. After opening, it will likely only last 3 days. Most cases and coffee shops throw this milk out after 1-2 days after it’s opened.
Half and half and light cream also last about 7-10 days before opening. However, after opening, they will only last 5-7 days.
Sweetened, non-dairy creamers can be left in the fridge for up to 2 weeks before it’s opened.