How is the safety of our milk guaranteed?
Milk safety is assured by safe production and processing procedures followed by producers and processors. Safety of milk and dairy products is constantly monitored and checked by field and laboratory tests conducted by the dairy industry and regulatory officials. Recently, Alberta milk producers are enrolling on the Canadian Quality Milk Program. This will be an additional measure to guarantee the quality and safety of milk.
Are there antibiotics in milk?
No. When cows are sick they may be treated with antibiotics. When this happens the cow is milked separately from the rest of the herd and her milk is discarded. This continues until she has recovered from her illness and antibiotics are not detected in her milk, To ensure that the correct procedures are followed, each tank of milk on the farm is tested for antibiotics.
Are there growth hormones in milk?
No. The administration of growth hormones, such as bovine somatotropin (BST), to dairy cows is not permitted under current legislation in Canada.
Should I buy organic milk?
This is an individual decision. Organic milk is extremely difficult to produce and certify without constant inspection of the entire milk production process. If you chose to pay more for milk labelled as organic, remember there is no scientific evidence to support claims that "organic milk" is healthier than regular milk.
What does pasteurization do for milk?
Pasteurization involves heating milk to high temperatures to kill harmful bacteria that can cause illness. Milk is heated to a high temperature and then rapidly cooled. Pasteurization does not involve the use of any additives.
Pasteurization makes milk safe to drink and increases the length of time it can be kept before it spoils. The nutrient losses due to pasteurization are so small they are considered insignificant.
Can I freeze milk?
All milk can be frozen for a period of up to 3 months providing that it is frozen before the best before date. Skim, 1% and 2% milk freeze better than whole milk. Thaw milk in the refrigerator. Milk may separate once it has been frozen. If that happens, shake or beat it with a rotary or electric beater.
Can I freeze cream?
You can freeze whipping cream once it is whipped, however unwhipped cream separates when frozen resulting in a poor texture that you cannot whip.
What is microfiltered milk?
Microfiltered milk undergoes a unique microfiltering process that actually removes more bacteria than pasteurization. Therefore, this milk has a longer shelf life.