Milk in packets: still need to boil before drinking?

In many Indian households, boiling milk has been a long-standing tradition passed down through generations. Whether it’s fresh from a local dairy or the neatly packaged variety from a supermarket, people instinctively pour it into a pan and bring it to a boil. However, with the growing availability of pasteurised and ultra-pasteurised milk, this age-old practice raises a common question: do you still need to boil packet milk today?

Many packets feature labels like ‘pasteurised,’ ‘toned,’ or ‘UHT,’ which often confuse consumers. Pasteurised milk undergoes a heat treatment that kills harmful microorganisms like Salmonella and E. coli. Dietician Kanikka Malhotra explains that if you store the pasteurised packet in the refrigerator and keep it sealed, you can safely consume it directly without boiling.

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Is Boiling Pasteurised Milk Necessary? Effects on Safety and Nutrition

You only need to boil pasteurised milk at home if you suspect it has been contaminated or stored improperly. While boiling can offer an extra layer of safety, especially in uncertain storage conditions, unnecessary boiling reduces its nutritional quality. This added step may give peace of mind but can compromise the original nutrient density.

Repeated boiling at home significantly affects its nutritional content. Heat-sensitive B vitamins, such as B1, B2 (riboflavin), B3, B6, and folic acid, are lost — riboflavin alone can decrease by up to 36%. While boiling may slightly alter the protein structure and fat composition, the overall calcium and fat content remains largely unaffected. However, boiling doesn’t extend its shelf life — once opened, refrigerate it and consume it soon, regardless of boiling.

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Boiling Requirements for UHT, Pasteurised, and Raw Milk

For packaged milk, you don’t need to boil UHT as it’s heated at very high temperatures and packed in sterile conditions. Pasteurised milk is also safe to drink without boiling if stored sealed and cold. However, raw milk must be boiled before consumption to kill harmful bacteria since it hasn’t been heat-treated.