Why is there no UHT milk in the US?

[Masquerouge]

When I lived in France, all the milk I bought was pasteurized using the UHT technique. UHT involves holding the milk at a temperature of 280 °F or 138 °C for at least two seconds. This allowed the milk to be stored unrefrigerated for up to three months, and stay perfectly good. Thus when I went shopping, I bought milk for three months, and that was it.
Here in the US, all the milk I've found is not UHT-pasteurized, but I guess HTST. HTST involves holding the milk at a temperature of 161.5 degrees Fahrenheit (or 72 degrees Celsius) for at least 15 seconds. This allows the milk to be stored refrigerated for up to two weeks.
Consequently, we have to buy milk all the time, in small quantity, and we have quite a few jugs that turned sour: this never happened in France.

My question is thus: why is there no UHT milk in the US, when it is so much more convenient and safe?

The wiki link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pasteurization. It does not explain why the US does not use the UHT method.

I'd like to know also what's the norm in your country: UHT or HTST?

 

[Bozo Erectus]

Once its been opened though, you have to put it in the fridge, right?

 

[Godwynn]

I smell a way for me to make money on this. Please explain further to a Dairyman at Kroger.

 

[Truronian]

UHT doesn't taste as nice
In Britain we live mainly off fresh milk (about a weeks life max), but then it is more commonly used here than in France.

 

[Perfection]

The vast majority of Americans can't see things beyond the 2 week range, they're too busy preparing for the always-immenant rapture.

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[Masquerouge]

Once its been opened though, you have to put it in the fridge, right?

Yeah. But it saves you many a trip to the store... Plus it is sold in small containers, meaning you will usually finish it before it spoils, even with a puny European appetite
We've found US milk sold in small containers, but this means more trips to the store, since we can not store it.
So we had to settle on a container that's a bit too big for our average consumption, allowing us less trips, but the risk of spoiling is there.

 

[Masquerouge]

UHT doesn't taste as nice
In Britain we live mainly off fresh milk (about a weeks life max), but then it is more commonly used here than in France.

Fresh milk is good, but definitely NOT sold in the US.
And I don't care that much about the taste since it's to pour in cereals, mostly.

Godwynn: I think there's not anything more to it that one method allowing you to store your milk in bulk for a long period of time, and the other not.

 

[Bozo Erectus]

I guess its not available here because the major milk suppliers have managed to keep it out of the market. They probably want to keep the milk moving. Having to buy fresh milk every few days accomplishes that.

 

[Godwynn]

Godwynn: I think there's not anything more to it that one method allowing you to store your milk in bulk for a long period of time, and the other not.

That's the thing. Come time for the big holidays we have to order a lot of milk, and if I remember correctly last year after Christmas I had to throw away almost 250 gallons of milk because they had passed the sell by date. Even though it is still good for another 7-10 days. Had we had that milk that lasts for 3 months, we would not have to throw it away. Since I also assume it was used in cooking, hence taste is less important.

 

[WillJ]

It's obviously a conspiracy. The oil companies want us making more trips to the grocery store so we buy more gas.

 

[Masquerouge]

I guess its not available here because the major milk suppliers have managed to keep it out of the market. They probably want to keep the milk moving. Having to buy fresh milk every few days accomplishes that.

I'm not so sure. With HTST, you buy small quantities often, with UHT you buy large quantities every couple of months, but I don't think the average amount of milk you buy changes...

That's the thing. Come time for the big holidays we have to order a lot of milk, and if I remember correctly last year after Christmas I had to throw away almost 250 gallons of milk because they had passed the sell by date. Even though it is still good for another 7-10 days. Had we had that milk that lasts for 3 months, we would not have to throw it away. Since I also assume it was used in cooking, hence taste is less important.

yeah, I forgot to add that: retailers have everything to gain by using UHT milk, because their stocks can last a lot longer, and waste is reduced.

 

[Bozo Erectus]

Im sure its got something to do with money.

 

[CurtSibling]

The vast majority of Americans can't see things beyond the 2 week range, they're too busy preparing for the always-immenant rapture.

When you suddenly fly up to jeebus, you can't leave smelling, rotten milk behind!



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[MobBoss]

UHT doesn't taste as nice
In Britain we live mainly off fresh milk (about a weeks life max), but then it is more commonly used here than in France.

Most likely I would say this is exactly the reason. But there IS UHT milk in the US. It is often used by the military precisely because of its much longer shelf live without having to use refrigeration.

But I can tell you with full authority that it does taste different. Not necessarily bad, but certainly not as good as milk you get from the grocer.

 

[Urederra]

The taste is not that important, IMHO. It is what you get used to, I have drunk many types of milk, untreated included (directly milked from the cow, just in case is not understood), and the taste is not that different. Besides, I always add something to the milk, decaf coffee, nesquick or similar (Cola-Cao is the drink of the l337s).

UHT milk is the way to go, I don't understand why is not in America (Not either in Canada, I think) Maybe is because the technology is a bit more expensive and the dairy companies don't want to invest on it. I would pay 2c more for a better quality milk that doesn't go bad.

If you buy milk in a gas station you know you have to drink it in less than 5 days, otherwise you lose it.

Once its been opened though, you have to put it in the fridge, right?

Yes, but in Europe, ENgland included, is sold by the litre, so it doesn't last too much once it is opened.

And usually people buys cartons that contains 12 packs, You buy one or two every two months and it never gets sour.

 

[C~G]

General Jack D. Ripper: Mandrake, do you realize that in addition to fluoridating water, why, there are studies underway to fluoridate salt, flour, fruit juices, soup, sugar, milk... ice cream. Ice cream, Mandrake, children's ice cream.
Group Capt. Lionel Mandrake: Lord, Jack.
General Jack D. Ripper: You know when fluoridation first began?
Group Capt. Lionel Mandrake: I... no, no. I don't, Jack.
General Jack D. Ripper: Nineteen hundred and forty-six. Nineteen forty-six, Mandrake. How does that coincide with your post-war Commie conspiracy, huh? It's incredibly obvious, isn't it? A foreign substance is introduced into our precious bodily fluids without the knowledge of the individual. Certainly without any choice. That's the way your hard-core Commie works.
Group Capt. Lionel Mandrake: Uh, Jack, Jack, listen, tell me, tell me, Jack. When did you first... become... well, develop this theory?
General Jack D. Ripper: Well, I, uh... I... I... first became aware of it, Mandrake, during the physical act of love.
Group Capt. Lionel Mandrake: Hmm.
General Jack D. Ripper: Yes, a uh, a profound sense of fatigue... a feeling of emptiness followed. Luckily I... I was able to interpret these feelings correctly. Loss of essence.
Group Capt. Lionel Mandrake: Hmm.
General Jack D. Ripper: I can assure you it has not recurred, Mandrake. Women uh... women sense my power and they seek the life essence. I, uh... I do not avoid women, Mandrake.
Group Capt. Lionel Mandrake: No.
General Jack D. Ripper: But I... I do deny them my essence.
---------------------------------------------------------------
The cost of producing such milk might be the most important factor.
Does US produce all the milk it needs or is it even surplus product?
There might lie your answer.

In Finland they use the UHT-method for all commercially distributed milk or at least I think it's so.

 

[Masquerouge]

Im sure its got something to do with money.

Well I did a quick price-check.

6 1-liter packs of milk is around 5 euros in France

1 gallon of milk is around 3 bucks in the US.

Since 1 gallon is 3.8 liters, and 1 euro is 1.25 dollars, we have a price per gallon in France of $3.94.

It is not insanely more expensive. Plus stores could lower the price of milk in the US even more, because there would be less waste.

 

[Masquerouge]

Most likely I would say this is exactly the reason. But there IS UHT milk in the US. It is often used by the military precisely because of its much longer shelf live without having to use refrigeration.

But I can tell you with full authority that it does taste different. Not necessarily bad, but certainly not as good as milk you get from the grocer.

As Urederra perfectly said, you get used to it. When we came here my wife and I were persuaded something was wrong with the milk because it tasted funny. Now we're used to it.

 

[Bozo Erectus]

Hey wait, what about Parmalat? Isnt that the same thing? I think my mother used to buy that.

 

[Xanikk999]

I dont drink milk anyway so this doesnt bother me one bit.

Milk tastes so bad to me that i will vomit if i even smell it.
But i can still eat things that are cooked with dairy products like cookies.