Is Ultra-Heat-Treated Milk the Same as Pasteurized Milk?
The answer is no; they differ not only in name but also in nature.
Pasteurized Milk
Pasteurized milk is processed at high temperatures ranging from 138-141 degrees Celsius for 3-5 seconds to destroy any bacteria that could spoil the milk. It is then quickly cooled and packaged in special aseptic packaging.
Pasteurized milk is made from fresh milk.
Ultra-Heat-Treated Milk
Ultra-heat-treated milk is made from powdered milk.
Comparing Ultra-Heat-Treated and Pasteurized Milk
Pasteurized Milk |
Ultra-Heat-Treated Milk |
|
Ingredients |
– Freshly-squeezed milk. |
– Reconstituted milk from powder. |
Processing Method |
Fresh milk is pasteurized at approximately 140 degrees Celsius for a short time (3-5 seconds), then rapidly cooled to 20 degrees Celsius and packaged. |
– Fresh milk is heat-treated, condensed, and turned into milk powder. – The milk powder is reconstituted with water and other ingredients, then heat-treated again before packaging. |
Nutritional Quality |
Vitamins B6, B12, C, and Folate are minimally lost and do not need to be added back. |
Due to the two heat treatments, many nutrients are lost and must be added back to increase the nutritional content. |
Flavor |
Natural and delicious, just like fresh milk. |
The flavor is less natural and not as tasty as pasteurized milk; it is more like a ready-to-drink formula. |
Price |
Higher. |
Lower. |
Whether it’s nutritional value or flavor, ultra-heat-treated milk falls short of pasteurized milk, and ultra-heat-treated milk cannot replace fresh milk.
In Vietnam, fresh milk is supplied directly from local sources, and major dairy brands have also established integrated farming and production models to ensure better quality for their pasteurized milk products.
However, for ultra-heat-treated milk, the milk powder used as the main ingredient is mostly imported, making it challenging to assess and guarantee the best quality, as well as the preservation and transportation conditions before processing.
Thus, considering the input materials, pasteurized milk also scores higher.
How Can Consumers Distinguish Between Pasteurized and Ultra-Heat-Treated Milk?
– Packaging Label: Ultra-heat-treated milk will have the letters UHT (Ultra-High-Temperature) on the packaging, indicating the ultra-heat treatment process used.
– Check the Ingredients: If it’s fresh milk, the ingredients list should state 99% fresh cow’s milk. If it mentions milk powder and water, it’s reconstituted milk.
– Evaluate the Flavor: Pasteurized milk has a natural, delicious flavor like fresh milk, while ultra-heat-treated milk has a less appealing taste, resembling a pre-mixed formula.
Tasting the milk can help identify the type.
However, to be sure, consumers should opt for reputable brands to avoid ultra-heat-treated milk disguised as pasteurized milk.
You can purchase milk from well-known brands such as Duth Lady and Vinamilk at large stores, supermarkets, or our retail system.
Pasteurized milk is gaining popularity over ultra-heat-treated milk due to its superior flavor and higher nutritional content. Consumers should be aware of the differences to make informed choices.
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