How Long Can Milk Sit Out?
You head to the fridge and grab the milk to pour yourself a nice cold glass, but then it hits you – how long has that milk been sitting out anyway? Good question. Milk is one of those foods that can go south pretty quick if it’s left unrefrigerated, so it’s helpful to know just how long it can hang out before you’ve got a curdled mess on your hands. In this article, we’ll talk about how long milk can sit out before it goes bad, looking at the factors that come into play. We’ll cover how long unopened milk lasts out of the fridge versus opened milk, low-fat versus whole milk, and tips to know if your milk has turned. Let’s dive in and settle the debate over exactly how long milk can sit out before it’s time to toss it.
How Long Does Milk Last at Room Temperature?
Milk can survive for up to 4 hours at room temperature before it needs to be refrigerated. However, to be on the safe side, it’s best to refrigerate milk within 2 hours of pouring it. Once milk has been left out for more than 2 hours, bacteria start growing rapidly and the milk can spoil or become unsafe to drink.
Keeping Milk Cold
The ideal temperature for storing milk is 40°F or below. At this temperature, milk can last around 5 to 7 days after opening. However, as soon as you open the milk carton, the countdown begins. Each time you open the fridge door, the temperature rises slightly, reducing milk’s shelf life.
Watch Out For Spoilage
Even when properly refrigerated, milk doesn’t last forever. As milk ages, it loses freshness, flavor, and nutrients. After 7 days, it’s best to discard the milk. You’ll know the milk has gone bad if it develops a sour smell, unpleasant taste, color change, curdles or separates. Consuming spoiled milk can lead to foodborne illness, so if there’s any doubt about your milk’s freshness, it’s best to discard it.
Extending Shelf Life
There are a few tricks you can use to keep milk fresher longer. Keep milk in its original container and avoid transferring it to another jug or bottle. This prevents extra exposure to air and contamination. You can also try filling the space in the milk carton with water and keeping it sealed. The water creates an oxygen-deprived environment to slow bacterial growth. Finally, avoid contaminating the milk with dirty utensils or hands. Always use a clean glass when pouring and wipe the rim and spout of the milk container after each use. Following these tips can extend the shelf life of milk up to 1 to 2 days.
Does Milk Go Bad Faster Out of the Fridge?
Milk that has been left unrefrigerated will spoil much more quickly than milk kept cold. Why?
Milk contains proteins and sugars that bacteria love to feed on. When milk warms up, bacteria become active and multiply rapidly.
Bacteria Growth
The higher the temperature, the faster bacteria grow. At room temperature, bacteria in milk can double every 20 minutes. Within 2 hours, there can be millions of bacteria in a single drop of milk. These bacteria produce acids that curdle the milk, causing it to develop a sour smell and unpleasant taste.
Once milk has been left unrefrigerated for over 2 hours, it should be discarded. Even if it looks and smells normal, it likely contains high amounts of bacteria that can cause foodborne illness. It’s not worth the risk.
When in Doubt, Throw it Out
If you’re unsure how long the milk has been sitting out or the temperature it reached, it’s best to throw it out. Food safety experts recommend discarding any perishable food that has been left unrefrigerated for over 2 hours. It’s always better safe than sorry when it comes to preventing foodborne illness.
So if you want your milk to last as long as possible, keep it refrigerated at 40°F or below. And when serving milk with meals or snacks, only pour out what you think you’ll drink right away. Once you’re done, promptly return the milk to the fridge. Following these tips will help keep your milk fresh and safe to drink.
How to Tell if Milk Has Gone Bad
There are a few signs you can look for to determine if your milk has spoiled. Once milk has gone bad, it’s unsafe to drink and should be discarded immediately.
Check the ‘Best By’ Date
The ‘best by’ date on milk is not an expiration date, but rather a freshness date. Milk can spoil before this date if it’s not properly refrigerated. As a rule of thumb, drink milk within 7 days of opening the carton. If it’s past the ‘best by’ date or has been open for over a week, it’s best to discard it.
Look for Changes in Appearance
Spoiled milk will have a different look and consistency. It may become chunky, curdled or yellowish. The milk may develop a thick, lumpy or grainy texture. Or you may see the milk start to separate into liquid and solid layers. If your milk shows any changes from its normal creamy white appearance, it’s not safe to drink.
Smell for Sour Odors
A quick sniff test can determine if your milk has soured. Fresh milk will have a mildly sweet smell. Spoiled milk will have a sour, unpleasant odor. If your milk smells foul, sour or unpleasant in any way, it should be discarded. The bacteria that spoil milk produce acids that cause the sour smell.
Check for Mold
Mold, or ‘dairy slime’, forms when milk spoils. Look for spots, specks or hair-like strands that are a different color than the milk. The most common colors of mold in spoiled milk are blue, green, black and white. If there are any signs of mold in the milk or on the surface of the milk, do not drink it. Pour it out immediately.
Following these tips can help avoid drinking spoiled milk. Remember, if in doubt it’s best to throw it out. Your health and safety should be a top priority. When milk goes bad, the only option is to discard it so you can continue to enjoy fresh, wholesome milk.
Tips to Extend the Life of Milk
Keep it Chilly
The number one rule for keeping milk fresh longer is to chill it as soon as possible after opening and keep it cold. Milk should be stored at 40 degrees F or below. Keep the milk in the back of the refrigerator where it’s coldest. Don’t leave the milk sitting out on the counter or at room temperature. Bacteria grow rapidly at warm temperatures, so chilling the milk quickly will slow the growth of spoilage bacteria.
Seal it Tight
An opened carton or jug of milk exposed to air will spoil faster. Make sure to seal the milk container tightly after each use to prevent exposure to oxygen and contaminants. If you notice the milk develops an off odor or strange taste, it’s best to discard it. Trust your senses – if something seems off about the milk, it’s not worth risking foodborne illness.
Use it Quickly
Even with proper refrigeration and sealing, milk will only last so long after opening. Drink milk within 4 to 7 days of opening for best quality and to avoid spoilage. The ‘use by’ date on the milk carton refers to milk that has never been opened, so opened milk may spoil sooner. For the quickest spoilage, choose milk with the farthest ‘use by’ date when you shop.
Avoid Contaminating the Milk
Be very careful not to contaminate the milk when pouring a glass or adding it to your coffee or cereal. Don’t put used spoons back into the milk container. This can introduce bacteria and cause the milk to spoil faster. Always use clean utensils and wash your hands before handling milk. Following these tips can help keep your milk fresh, safe, and reduce food waste.
How Long Can Milk Sit Out FAQ
How long can milk sit out at room temperature?
As a general rule of thumb, milk should not sit out at room temperature for longer than 2 hours. Milk left unrefrigerated for longer can spoil and become unsafe to drink. Bacteria grow rapidly in warm, protein-rich environments like milk. Even if milk has been pasteurized, harmful bacteria like Listeria monocytogenes can still grow once the milk’s temperature rises above 40°F.
What happens if you drink spoiled milk?
Drinking spoiled or contaminated milk can cause foodborne illness resulting in symptoms like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramps. Some bacteria like Salmonella or E. coli can even lead to severe dehydration or hospitalization in vulnerable groups like young children, elderly, or immunocompromised individuals. It’s always best to discard any milk left unrefrigerated for over 2 hours.
### How can you tell if milk has spoiled?
There are a few telltale signs that milk has gone bad:
- Chunks or curdling: As milk spoils, proteins coagulate and form chunks. Curdled or chunky milk should be discarded.
- Sour smell: Spoiled milk will have a distinct sour, rotten smell. If your milk smells off, it’s best to throw it out.
- Off taste: In addition to smelling sour, spoiled milk will taste unpleasant, bitter or tangy. Never taste milk that smells funny.
- Color change: Spoiled milk may become yellowish or develop a dull, creamy layer on top. Fresh milk should be white or off-white.
- Gas or bubbling: As bacteria grow, they produce gas that gets trapped in the milk. If you see gas bubbles or the milk container bulges, the milk has gone bad.
Milk that has been left unrefrigerated for over 2 hours or shows signs of spoilage should be discarded immediately. When in doubt, it’s best to throw it out! Your health and safety should be a top priority.
Conclusion
So there you have it. While milk can technically sit out unrefrigerated for 2 hours before going bad, it’s best to put it away after use. The exceptions are when it’s over 90°F out or the milk is non-fat or skim, in which case 1 hour is the limit. Remember that milk will spoil faster once opened, so make sure to seal it up tight and get it back in the fridge as soon as you’re done using it. Following these guidelines will help your milk stay fresher longer. But when in doubt, give it the sniff test – your nose knows! With this info in your back pocket, you can keep enjoying fresh, tasty milk without having to toss sour bottles down the drain.