- Have at least two servings of milk or milk products every day.
- Everyone over the age of two should drink low-fat or reduced-fat milk.
- Toddlers shouldn't have more than 600ml of milk each day. Too much milk may displace other foods in the diet.
- Cows' milk shouldn't be given to babies under the age of one.
- If you drink soy or rice milk, choose one that's fortified with calcium.
Top milk tips
- Milk (including UHT milk once it's opened) should be refrigerated below 4°C. Keep it out of the fridge for as little as possible.
- The best-before date is a guide to how long the milk will last if it's not opened. Once opened, use it within 4-5 days.
- Milk can become oxidised if it's exposed to sunlight or left too close to a light source. It's not harmful but may give the milk an unpleasant taste. Most milk packaging is opaque to protect against this.
- Milk can be frozen but it isn't recommended. Freezing affects the protein and may result in the milk looking curdled. If you do freeze milk, defrost it in the fridge. A better option is to buy UHTmilk that will last for months unopened.
More from consumer.org.nz
- Omega-3 fish oil supplements
- Vitamin D deficiency
- Food allergies
- Liquid pyramid
- Bread
- Use-by dates on food
- Soy products
- The Truth About Food
Report by Belinda Allan
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