In France, each French person consumes on average around 40.7 litres of milk per year, which is nearly five glasses per week.
This shows how central milk is to our daily diet, and why the question of its preservation deserves a clear answer. Every year, millions of litres are thrown away while they are still perfectly drinkable, often due to a lack of understanding of what the dates on the packaging really mean.
DLC or DDM: the distinction that changes everything
Before deciding if your milk is still good, there's a crucial question to ask: what does the packaging say? Because when it comes to expiry dates, not all of them are equal. And it's precisely this confusion that leads to a large part of the food waste in France.
Use By Date
The DLC is indicated by the mention «Use by...». This is a strict limit set by the manufacturer after laboratory microbiological testing. It applies to highly perishable fresh products that are susceptible to the development of pathogenic bacteria.
Once this date has passed, the health risk is real, particularly for vulnerable people: young children, pregnant women, the elderly or immunocompromised individuals.
The Best Before Date (BBD)
The DDM, however, is formulated by the mention «Best before...». This is an indicative date. Once passed, the product may lose flavour, texture, or nutritional value, but it is not a health hazard.
To fully understand the difference between these two mentions and their impact on what you can still eat, consult our dedicated article on the Expiry date and best before date.
UHT milk, pasteurised, raw: each type has its own rules
The answer to the question «can you drink expired milk?» therefore depends directly on the type of milk you have on hand.
UHT milk (long-life)
UHT milk is sterilised at ultra-high temperature, which eliminates most micro-organisms. It has a best-before date.
Unopened and stored in good conditions (away from heat and light), it remains consumable for several weeks, or even up to two months after the date shown. Once opened, it must be placed in the refrigerator and consumed within 3 to 5 days.
Fresh pasteurised milk
This milk is treated at a lower temperature than UHT milk. It retains more flavour, but it is also more delicate. It has a use-by date, and it is strongly advised not to consume it past this date. If the date is only a day or two out, trust your senses (appearance, smell, taste), but if in doubt, don't take any risks.
Raw milk
This is milk that has not undergone any heat treatment. It is therefore the most susceptible to bacterial contamination. Its use-by date is short, and it must be strictly adhered to. The risks in the event of exceeding this date are the highest of all types of milk.
| Type of milk | Date displayed | Usable after the date? | Precautions |
|---|---|---|---|
| UHT milk (unopened) | DDM | Yes, until about 2 months afterwards | Check appearance and smell |
| UHT Milk (opened) | — | No, 3 to 5 days in the fridge max | Keep refrigerated |
| Pasteurised milk | DLC | Not recommended | Real bacterial risk |
| Raw milk | DLC | No | To be strictly observed |
The tell-tale signs: has your milk turned?
Regardless of the date, your senses remain your best allies for assessing milk. Here are the clues to look out for before consuming milk that is close to its sell-by date or has passed it.
- The smell This is the first indicator. Spoiled milk gives off a sour, acidic, sometimes frankly unpleasant smell. If, upon opening the bottle, you are immediately hit by the smell, it's an unequivocal sign.
- The visual aspect It also provides reliable indicators. Milk that is still good is homogeneous and fluid. If it has lumps, a thick or curdled texture, or if it has turned yellow, it means the proteins have started to coagulate due to bacteria.
- The taste, Finally, it allows you to decide as a last resort. A micro-sip is enough: if the taste is sour or bitter, spit it out and do not consume the rest.
A swollen package is also a warning sign. It indicates fermentation and gas production inside, which means bacteria have developed.
What to do with your milk if it's past its sell-by date?
Your UHT milk is a few weeks past its best-before date, but still looks good? You can use it in cooking without any problems, especially in cooked dishes.
The heat neutralises any potential bacteria and the taste goes completely unnoticed in a cake or a béchamel sauce.
Conversely, if your milk has clearly turned (curdled, sour smell), don't throw it away just yet. There are many ways to give it a second life. For example, you can make your own fresh cheese, use it in baking, or even make a natural skincare treatment with it.
We detail all these tips in our full article: What to do with out-of-date milk? 6 surprising and anti-waste uses.
Finally, if you have too much milk and are worried about not consuming it in time, consider freezing it. It freezes very well, in blocks or in small portions. After defrosting in the refrigerator, its texture may change slightly but it remains perfect for cooking, such as eggs, which can also be frozen to avoid waste.
How to store milk correctly to avoid waste
To avoid wasting milk, a few simple habits are enough.
Keep it in the coldest part of the fridge (1–4°C), ideally in a glass bottle, and buy quantities that suit your needs.
When it's nearing its expiry date, use it in the kitchen in sweet or savoury dishes, or freeze it for later.
Even if it's turned slightly, your milk can still be used to make fresh cheese as we mentioned above. With a bit of foresight and creativity, milk becomes an ingredient that's easy to make good use of every day.
In summary
Unopened UHT milk can generally be consumed safely after its best-before date, provided its appearance, smell, and taste are checked. However, fresh pasteurised and raw milk have a use-by date that should be observed to avoid any health risks.
In all cases, trust your senses, keep your milk in good condition, and if the date has passed, think of the many ways to use it. reuse rather than throw it away. Every action counts towards reducing waste.
Use-by dates, also called expiry dates, on dairy products can be confusing.
In France, milk is a highly valued and widely consumed food: in 2023, Each French person drank an average of around 40.7 litres of packaged milk., which is nearly 5 glasses per week. Milk is therefore an essential part of the daily diet and remains one of the most purchased products in supermarkets. Raw milk, pasteurised milk, UHT milk, powdered milk… Quelles sont les règles de sécurité à connaître pour éviter le gaspillage et consommer en toute tranquillité ? What to do if the milk is past its sell-by date? How to store milk? We give you all the answers.
Use-by dates, also known as expiry dates, on dairy products can be confusing. Raw milk, pasteurised milk, UHT milk, powdered milk... Quelles sont les règles de sécurité à connaître pour éviter le gaspillage et consommer en toute tranquillité ? What to do if the milk is past its sell-by date? How to store milk? We give you all the answers.
