How Long Does Condensed Milk Last
Whether commercial or homemade, condensed milk doesn’t have a very long shelf life. A commercial can of condensed milk, unopened and sealed, last up to 1 year after the best-by date. If opened, it needs to be refrigerated and will last up to 2 weeks.
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The shelf life of condensed milk mostly depends on how you store it and keep it refrigerated in an airtight container to keep it in its best condition. Your unopened condensed milk can be eaten even after its expiration date because the jars are great packaging to keep it fresh and original. Unopened condensed milk has a long shelf life and can be used for years past its shelf life if stored properly. The shelf life may be several months if the jar or carton is not opened.
| Condensed milk | Shelf life |
| Home made | Does not have very long shelf life |
| Unopened and sealed (commercial can) | 1 year |
| Refrigerated | 2 weeks |
Sweetened condensed milk can keep for more than a year past the expiration date if you keep it in the original unopened jar. To sum it up, unopened sweetened condensed milk can last up to two years, while opened jars can keep up to two weeks at their best. This simply means that an unopened can of sweetened condensed milk will retain its optimum quality even two years after its expiration date. Condensed milk left in its original, unopened can will be perfectly edible many months after its expiration date, as cans are the best way to package food so it stays fresh and pristine for a long period.
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If this is not done, the milk will begin to become cloudy and smelly, especially if left in the original can. If the milk is not hermetically sealed and refrigerated when opened, then it will go bad. Not only that, if the milk is inside an outdoor refrigerator, it will absorb the odors of other foods too easily, making it unpleasant to use. If you open the jar, you will notice that the milk has become quite thick and does not pour out of the jar; most likely it has gone offline and is not safe to consume.
It depends on when you need to use the milk and if you want to use the whole can. Before using such milk, check both the jar and the contents of the jar following the guidelines I outlined earlier in the article. You should test your milk before using or eating it. If you are pouring milk into a different container, be sure to include the “use by” date or the date you poured it.
You will see a label labeled “Best before” or “Best before…”. This does not mean that the milk has spoiled after the date printed on the package, but it will maintain its best quality until that date. Comes means your milk will keep for months, if not years after it’s first canned. Milk powder is usually enough months or even years after the date on the label. Most manufacturers recommend 18 months of milk powder (also known as milk powder), but that’s just the shelf life.
Although canned milk lasts much longer than non-condensed milk, you still need to use it within six months. Milk is stored for about three months in the freezer, but not in a jar. Most types of condensed milk stored with preservation will last longer than the commercial sale on some shelves. As with all canned foods, keep the jar away from sources of heat, light, and moisture so that unopened condensed milk will last as long as possible.
Even though closed condensed milk is stored for a long time, and a homemade or open commercial product can be consumed for days, over time it will become inedible. Refrigeration slows down the spoilage process, so a can of condensed milk will keep for up to two weeks in an airtight container. Once opened, milk can be refrigerated for up to two weeks if stored in an airtight container or covered with plastic wrap. Once opened, the jar can keep for several hours outside the refrigerator due to its sugar content, especially if it is in an airtight container or covered with some kind of plastic wrap.
If you don’t have a plastic milk storage container, cover swollen cans with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to extend shelf life. Another point to note is that depending on how you store your milk, it will have a maximum shelf life. Since condensed (sweetened) milk contains sugar as a preservative, you can use it for another week or two after opening if you store it properly.
If you buy condensed milk in a paper bag and not in a jar, it is important to remember that you should keep this product in the refrigerator at all times and buy only what your family will eat within 3-4 days. As mentioned earlier, condensed milk can be stored for a long time even after one-year expiration date, but like all types of milk, whether it is plant-based milk or plant-based milk such as soy or almond milk, condensed milk will eventually deteriorate.
The high-temperature process kills the bacteria in the milk and thus the sugar helps to further preserve the milk. In addition, this milk goes through a heating process during production, which eliminates bacteria from it. Although there are no fixed recommendations, most studies show that when properly stored, closed milk will usually remain usable for 5-7 days after the date, while open milk will keep at least 2-3 days after that date. 3, 8, 9).
How to Store Condensed Milk After Opening
After the opening of condensed milk, the best way of storage is to put it into an airtight jar or container. Now put this jar or container in the refrigerator for 4-5 days. Never try to store open cans of condensed milk in the refrigerator as it will make it bad.
What happens if you eat expired condensed milk?
One of the main reasons condensed milk goes bad is improper storage. The improper storage leads to taste and odor spoilage of condensed milk which can lead to an upset stomach and low-grade fever.