Do you remember your first trip outside India? Preparations must have included packing ready-to-eat food and tetra packs of milk, as we were not sure about the local milk, although the taste of tetra pack milk also did not resemble the pouch milk we were used to. ,

Apart from occasional use, these tetra packs made a significant comeback during the lockdown when everyone was stockpiling groceries to cope with the uncertainty.

Have you ever noticed that carton milk is rarely our first choice? It never feels like the real thing. But is it really safer than milk that comes in pouches? Let’s ask the experts.

What’s the deal with tetra pack milk?

Veena says, “Tetra pack, or ultra-high temperature (UHT) milk, is milk that has been treated by ultra-high temperature processing so that it can be stored for a long time under normal conditions without the need for refrigeration until the package is opened. Could.” V, chief clinical dietitian at Aster Whitefield Hospital, Bengaluru.

She further explains India Today In the case of UHT treatment, the milk is heated to a temperature of 135 °C to about 150 °C for a few seconds to destroy all disease-causing organisms, rendering it non-spoiled for several months.

The expert said, “Heating the milk at such high temperatures enhances its quality both in nutrition and taste. Once the process is complete, the milk is rapidly cooled and then stored under aseptic conditions. It is sealed in a tetra pack container, so there is no contamination.” Connects.

The packaging of UHT milk is called tetra pack. This aseptic packaging helps keep the milk safe from contamination and spoilage.

Adding to this, Shivani Rathi, Dietitian, Sharda Care, NCR, highlights the benefits of UHT milk. It has a long shelf life, staying fresh for several months and is convenient because it does not require refrigeration until opened. Also, it retains nutritional value equivalent to fresh milk, with minimal nutrient loss during processing.

UHT milk vs packaged milk

According to Veena V, there is a clear difference between UHT milk and milk normally sold in pouches in terms of processing, shelf life, storage conditions and sales.

UHT milk is treated using an ultra-high temperature method. This treatment disinfects the milk by eliminating pathogens, allowing it to be stored for months. This is followed by airtight packaging, which ensures that the UHT milk does not get re-contaminated.

On the other hand, milk that comes in pouches is heated at a lower temperature of around 72°C for about fifteen seconds. This technology is effective in destroying pathogenic microorganisms, but allows some heat-resistant bacterial spores to remain, leading to a brief shelf life of about 2 to 3 days in cold environments. This type of milk usually does not contain any added preservatives.

Furthermore, for many people, drinking milk from a pouch is also a very pleasant experience as it offers a richer taste due to the preservation of more natural enzymes and flavours.

Which one is safer?

Dr Nimra Choudhary, General Physician, Prakash Hospital, NCR, believes, “Both UHT and pouch milk are safe and are nutritionally similar. UHT milk undergoes more processing but remains safe due to the higher heat, which Kills bacteria. Sachet milk may be preferred for its fresher taste, but both are healthy options.”

Meanwhile, Veena V tells us that some people believe that bagged milk is healthier because it has a shorter shelf life and therefore has lower levels of pasteurisation, which gives it more natural enzymes, vitamins and flavours. Enables to keep.

UHT milk is rich in essential nutrients and is widely considered suitable for long-term storage. It is treated to eliminate all active microorganisms including pathogens to ensure its safety and longevity.

She adds, “The choice depends on personal preferences, health conditions and availability of storage facilities. However, both are healthy in their composition.”

let’s talk nutrition

Studies have noted that during UHT treatment, proteins change primarily in two ways: they unfold (denaturation) and stick together (aggregation), as well as some chemical changes in their building blocks (amino acids). Changes occur. These changes can affect how well our body can digest these proteins and how they affect our health.

Research shows that milk proteins in UHT milk and milk products are altered during processing and storage. Thermal treatment can significantly affect the components of milk, and the extent of these effects depends on the intensity of the treatment. However, they often bring about undesirable changes in the color, texture, and nutritional quality of the product.

Dr. Choudhary mentions that UHT milk retains most of its proteins and fats, but some sensitive vitamins like B12 may degrade slightly due to the high heat.

Meanwhile, UHT milk also has a cooked, ‘burnt’ or caramelized flavor because the high heat alters the natural flavor of the milk.

“Research proves that protein levels in UHT milk are mostly unbalanced because high heat treatment only affects certain vitamins, such as vitamin B12 and vitamin C, causing the milk to spoil over time. Additionally, UHT milk is also suggested as a nutritionally beneficial option for some people because a large portion of the nutrients, including other macro minerals like calcium and phosphorus, are found in milk even after processing,” says Veena V.

Which one to choose?

Choosing between fresh milk and tetra pack milk really depends on your taste and preferences.

UHT milk, which can be stored without refrigeration for long periods of time, is ideal for those who don’t have a fridge and want to stock up for emergencies. Also, its heat treatment helps reduce the risk of milk-borne infections.

On the other hand, if you prioritize taste and freshness, bagged milk is the right choice for you. It is less processed, preserving more natural enzymes and flavor, resulting in a thicker, creamier texture that many people find more enjoyable.

Both options offer their own nutritional benefits, so it depends on what works best for you.