Is pouch milk safer than milk from a tetra pak?

Do you prefer milk in a box or a pouch? While we know that tetra pak or UHT milk can be stored for months, does this make it safer than regular pouch milk?

In Short

• Tetra pak milk is milk that has undergone ultra-high temperature processing
• This process lets milk be stored long-term without refrigeration until opened
• The high heat does change the milk's natural flavour

Do you remember your first trip outside India? The preparation must have involved packing ready-to-eat meals and tetra paks of milk, because we weren’t sure about the local milk, even though the tetra pak milk also didn't quite taste like the pouch milk we’re used to.

Aside from occasional use, these tetra paks made a significant comeback during the lockdown when everyone was stocking up on groceries to navigate the uncertainty.

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

What’s the deal with tetra pak milk?

“Tetra pak, or ultra-high temperature (UHT) milk, is milk that has been treated by ultra-high temperature processing in order to be stored for a long time under normal conditions without requiring refrigeration until the package is opened," says Veena V, chief clinical dietitian at Aster Whitefield Hospital in Bengaluru.

She further tells India Today that in the case of UHT treatment, the milk is heated to temperatures of 135°C to about 150°C for a few seconds in order to destroy all the disease-causing organisms, allowing it to remain unspoiled for several months.

"Heating the milk at such an elevated temperature also enhances its quality in both nutrition and taste. Once the process is completed, the milk is cooled down rapidly and then sealed into tetra pak containers under aseptic conditions so that no contamination occurs," the expert adds.

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

Adding to this, Shivani Rathee, dietitian, Sharda Care, NCR, highlights the benefits of UHT milk. It has a long shelf life, staying fresh for several months, and it’s convenient since it doesn’t require refrigeration until opened. Plus, it retains nutritional value comparable to fresh milk, with minimal nutrient loss during processing.

UHT milk vs packet milk

According to Veena V, UHT milk and the milk that is normally sold in pouches have glaring differences in terms of processing, shelf life, storage conditions, and selling.

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

On the other hand, milk that comes in pouches is heated at lower temperatures of about 72°C for about fifteen seconds. This technique is effective in destroying pathogenic microorganisms but allows some heat-resistant bacteria spores to remain, hence causing an abbreviated shelf life of around 2 to 3 days in a chilled environment. This type of milk usually has no additive preservatives.

Furthermore, for many people, consuming milk from a pouch is also a very pleasurable experience because it provides a rich taste due to the preservation of more natural enzymes and flavours.

Which is safer?

Dr Nimra Choudhary, a general physician, Prakash Hospital, NCR, feels, "Both UHT and pouch milk are safe and nutritionally similar. UHT milk undergoes more processing but remains safe due to the high heat, which kills bacteria. Pouch milk may be preferred for its fresher taste, but both are healthy options."

Meanwhile, Veena V tells us that some people believe that milk from a pouch is healthier because it has a shorter shelf life and therefore undergoes lower levels of pasteurisation, which enables it to retain more natural enzymes, vitamins, and flavours.

UHT milk is packed with essential nutrients and is widely regarded as suitable for long-term storage. It undergoes treatment to eliminate all active microorganisms, including pathogens, ensuring its safety and longevity.

"The choice depends on individual preferences, health conditions, and availability of storage facilities. However, both are healthy in their composition," she adds.

Let's talk nutrition

Studies mention that during UHT treatment, proteins mainly change in two ways: they unfold (denaturation) and stick together (aggregation), along with some chemical changes to their building blocks (amino acids). These changes can affect how well our bodies can digest these proteins and how they impact our health.

Research shows that milk proteins in UHT milk and milk products change during processing and storage. Thermal treatments can significantly affect milk components, and the extent of these effects depends on the treatment's intensity. However, they often lead to unwanted changes in colour, texture, and nutritional quality of the product.

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

Meanwhile, UHT milk also has a cooked, 'burnt' or caramelised taste because the high heat alters the milk's natural flavour.

“Research proves that the protein levels in UHT milk are mostly unscathed because the high heat treatment affects only certain vitamins, like Vitamin B12 and Vitamin C, which lead to spoilage of milk over time. In addition to this, UHT milk is also suggested for some people as a nutritionally beneficial option because a large portion of the nutrients, including other macro minerals like calcium and phosphorus, are still found in the milk even after processing," adds Veena V.

Which one to choose?

Choosing between fresh milk and tetra pak milk really comes down to your taste and preferences.

UHT milk, which can be stored without refrigeration for an extended period, is ideal for people on the go who may not have a fridge and want to stock up for emergencies. Plus, its heat treatment helps reduce the risk of milk-borne infections.

On the other hand, if you prioritise taste and freshness, pouch milk is the way to go. It’s less processed, preserving more natural enzymes and flavour, resulting in a thicker, creamier texture that many find more enjoyable.

Both options offer their own nutritional benefits, so it’s all about what suits you best.