Analytical Report - Milk, dried, evaporated & condensed

Introduction

Concentrated milk products - dried, evaporated and condensed - have been sold for many years. , as have dried milks for infant consumption, but it is important to differentiate between the two. The Condensed Milk and Dried Milk (England) Regulations 2003 set standards for a number of milk products. Four kinds of unsweetened condensed milk and of totally dehydrated milk are permitted - high fat, normal fat, semi-skimmed and skimmed. Three kinds of sweetened condensed milk - whole milk, semi-skimmed and skimmed milk - are also permitted. The term “evaporated” may also be used, as may “evaporated semi-skimmed”, as appropriate, in place of “condensed”. There are standards for the fat content of all of these.

Totally dehydrated milk (dried milk) must however be labelled “not intended as a food for infants under 12 months”, as it does not necessarily contain everything required for an infant milk which is therefore controlled by separate regulations - The Infant Formula and Follow-On Formula (England) Regulations 2007. These stipulate what infant formula may be made from, and set strict limits on the composition, labelling, claims and marketing of such products.

Kent Trading Standards has not sampled condensed or dried milks since the Regulations were introduced in 2003. It was therefore decided to sample the market, including all products covered by the Regulations. These would be examined for milk solids, fat, sugars and salt. Twenty six samples of dried milk powder, evaporated or condensed milk, were therefore tested.

Summary of results

None of the samples were found to be unsatisfactory.

In all cases the fat content was satisfactory for the description “whole milk”, “semi-skimmed milk” or “skimmed milk” as appropriate, as were the milk content. Also, the salt contents were in the range expected, with around 0.2 – 0.4% for partly dehydrated milks and more than 1% for the totally dehydrated milks. The maximum salt content was at almost 2g per 100g but as a dried product the percentage would reduce when the product was reconstituted with water.

January 2009