It’s important to keep milk fresh as long you need it. If the date on your carton expires, the taste will change and get sourer over time. All types of milk, including soy milk, coconut milk, rice milk and oat milk, can go bad.
Did you know that the length of time your milk sits out can affect how fresh it remains? So, let’s reveal in this article how long milk can sit out.
How Long Can Milk Sit Out?
Perishable food, such as milk, should not be left on the counter for more than two hours. It is to prevent spoilage and food-borne illness. This time is cut down to one hour in summers as bacteria can start growing at 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
The shelf life of milk depends on its freshness, pasteurization and temperature. Usually, overnight in a normally warm room will not spoil it, but degradation does occur to the flavor and consistency over time. It can sit out for longer if pasteurized and refrigerated.
On the other side, evaporated milk or condensed milk has a longer shelf life. If you buy it in cans from the market, it must have preservatives and sit out longer, i.e., for about 18 months. But if you make evaporated milk at home, it remains spoilage-free for around a month when refrigerated.
What Happens if Milk Sits Out Too Long?
For a long period, milk left out of the fridge can pose a food-safety risk. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is on the lookout for unsafe food. Their guidelines state that refrigerated items, including milk, should never stay outside a fridge longer than two hours at room temperature.
However, during high temperatures, food should not be left out for longer than one hour. If you don’t keep milk in the fridge, it will quickly spoil and become unsafe. Bacteria can grow at temperatures over 40°F, and you might end up with gross rotten milk.
What Should You Do If Milk Is Left Out Too Long?
It’s a good idea to refrigerate milk after it has been sitting out for more than two hours, says the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). If at room temperature or above 90 degrees Fahrenheit, you only have about an hour before your glass of fresh milk begins turning into yogurt-like curds.
Milk can sit on kitchen shelves without being promptly placed in a container so long as they don’t exceed this threshold. In general, discard any perishables that have been stored above 40° F for more than two hours, regardless of how they look or smell. Moreover, never taste the food to determine if it is still safe!
How Long Can Milk Be In The Car For?
As long as the temperature in the car remains below 40 degrees, milk will last as long as if it were in a refrigerator. At 40-60 degrees, it lasts for about 3-4 hours in the car, while the duration becomes 2 hours if the temperature is around 60-90 degrees.
If the temperature inside the car is above 90 F, make sure not to keep the milk inside for more than half an hour.
Does Milk Go Bad If Not Refrigerated?
The FDA says that milk should be discarded if not refrigerated for more than two hours. It’s important to refrigerate milk as soon as possible after purchasing it and then use it within one week of refrigerating. You can also freeze milk as freezing does not affect the nutritional value of dairy products.
Do Milk Go Bad If You Lose Power?
It is important to know the temperature of your fridge when the power goes out. You should check any appliance thermometers near or above 40°F first. Food spoilage can begin quickly after an interruption like this, so you want them taken care of immediately!
It would be best to use a glass or plastic container with a tightly closed lid to store milk in the refrigerator. It helps to keep it lasting longer during a power outage. A general rule of thumb is to discard perishable items like milk 4 hours after a power outage.
What Temperature Is Safe For Milk?
Storing milk at the proper temperature will maximize its shelf life and flavor. Staying around 40 degrees F or below is ideal for keeping your dairy products fresh. Make sure to place the milk container in the main area of your fridge, not next to a door that opens every time someone uses it.
Sources
- Kitchen Accessory Buying Guides
- Kitchen Appliance Buying Guides
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