Of course, all food and drink lasts for a shorter period of time if they are not stored properly. But remember that powdered milk, unlike a lot of other dairy products, usually has a "best by date" which is the last date by which a manufacturer will vouch for a product's quality, not its safety. Because of this distinction, you may safely use it to compliment your favorite meals even after its best by date has lapsed.

How to tell if Powdered Milk is bad, rotten or spoiled?

Practicing proper hygiene and food safety techniques will help prevent foodborne illness.

Although not a perfect test, your senses are usually the most reliable instruments to tell if your powdered milk has gone bad. Some common traits of bad powdered milk are discoloration (it will begin to have a yellowish tint) and an odor. If an odor or discoloration appear in your powdered milk, then it should be discarded.

If your powdered milk has gone bad, check our substitution page.

There are, of course, certain health risks associated with spoiled foods so always remember to practice food safety and enjoy your foods before their shelf life has expired!

How to store Powdered Milk to extend its shelf life?

Keeping powdered milk in a cool and dry place is essential to extending its shelf life. Powdered milk should be stored in airtight containers in the pantry, the original box is not the best storage vessel for powdered milk. For example, powdered milk stored in its original container will last about 2 years beyond its best by date while the same product in an airtight plastic container should last about 10 years if kept away from heat.

Freezing powdered milk is a great option, but it is highly recommended to place it in vacuum sealed containers for the longest shelf life. This sealer is highly recommended for freezing any foods to extend their shelf life.

Some benefits of proper food storage include eating healthier, cutting food costs and helping the environment by avoiding waste.

Interesting facts about Powdered Milk:

How to use extra before your Powdered Milk goes bad?

What if you have extra powdered milk and don't want it to spoil and go to waste? Your best bet is to vacuum seal and freeze as mentioned above. Or, you can use it in recipes that call for other types of milk - for proper amounts see our Substitution pages.

How long is Powdered Milk good for when prepared in a dish?

How long does powdered milk last? That depends. How long do eggs last? In general, powdered milk lasts only as long as the quickest expiring ingredient it is mixed with.

What are our shelf life resources?

In determining how long Powdered Milk lasts, our content incorporates research from multiple resources, including the United States Department of Agriculture and the United States Food & Drug Administration. In addition, we scoured the web for informative articles and reports related to food safety, food storage and the shelf life of Powdered Milk.

*An important note about expiration dates...

Although the Powdered Milk shelf life information on Eat By Date is generally reliable, please remember that individual cases will vary and that our advice should only be taken as an opinion and not a replacement for your health care professional. Please eat responsibly!