Milk
Milk is an important source of nourishment at every stage of life. Essential for developing children’s bones and teeth, milk also maintains health in adulthood and even in old age. Milk is a rich source of calcium and other minerals such as zinc, magnesium, potassium and phosphorus. It also contains high quality protein, and a wide range of vitamins like A, B1, B2, B6, B12, and even fortified D. Carbohydrate is present in the form of a simple disaccharide, lactose (milk sugar).
Whole Milk is also high in saturated fats but by choosing reduced fat or skim milk you can enjoy the benefits of milk with consuming too much fat. The word dairy refers to milk-based products, derivatives and processes.
Processing of Milk
Unpasteurized milk and dairy products may contain harmful pathogens and are not safe to eat, drink, or use in cooking food. Today, milk and other dairy products sold are pasteurized (heat-processed to kill pathogenic bacteria).
Don't drink any beverages or eat any foods that contain unpasteurized milk. Read the labels to make sure the drink or food has been pasteurized.
Pasteurization kills pathogenic bacteria found in milk, but it may not kill all the spoilage bacteria. To prevent the growth of bacteria, keep milk and milk products refrigerated.
Milk processed using the Ultra High Temperature method (shelf-stable milk) can be stored at room temperature for the time period indicated on the label. After opening, the product must be refrigerated.