Milk is a vital component of our diet being a complete food. However loose milk can also be a carrier of disease causing micro-organisms, especially as water is invariably added to it.
The good news is that modern dairy processing plants have made consumption of milk safer and pathogen-free.
The technical wonders of automation have enabled us to handle milk without exposing it to harmful bacteria and other such pollutants present in our environment.
Some people believe that packaged milk contains preservatives that make it possible for the milk to be stored without refrigeration. This is not true as UHT packaged milk is completely preservative free.
The special 6-layer packaging of milk cartons is the reason why packaged milk can be stored without refrigeration for several months.
According to a recent Consumer Preference Survey (CPS) conducted simultaneously by the students of leading business schools in Karachi and Lahore, 80 percent of people surveyed confirmed that they drink milk regularly.
The survey sample included a cross section of socio- economic groups. Some 65 percent of the respondents were females and 69 percent were in the 18 to 35 age group. Of total respondents, 46 percent were students.
The Survey team focused more on females as it is the female in the family that generally makes purchase decisions and manages the family's kitchen.
Per capita consumption of milk in Pakistan is only around 170 litres per year, which is much lower than other Asian countries. World-wide statistics report that a total of 145 countries produce milk and milk products, measuring up to 550 million tons a year with the US as the top producer and consumer of milk with 83 million tons. Pakistan ranks fifth in the world with a total production of 32 million tons per year.
Despite the premium status in milk production, our country has not been able to consolidate its benefits fully.
A survey conducted earlier by the faculty of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences, Agricultural University Peshawar, revealed that loose milk turns into a source of various diseases including high incidence of zoonitic diseases due to filthy housing system at dairy farms, unhygienic practices during milking, dirty utensils, transportation and marketing and water adulteration.
The researchers found that unpacked milk contained an alarming ratio of brucellosis, which cause early abortions in expectant mothers, generalised body pain and temperature in older women.
Milk consumers in Pakistan are today becoming more and more aware of the disease hazards associated with the use of open milk.
The Consumer Preference Survey shows that 89 percent of the people in cities considered packaged milk as safe for consumption, whereas only 34 percent respondents considered loose milk as safe. More than half the respondents (56 percent) actually preferred UHT milk.
Milk consumption patterns have shown a steady shift towards packaged milk as more people realise its health and packaging benefits.
The total share of packaged milk has grown from 0.96 percent to 5 percent in just four years, indicating that consumers are now becoming more health conscious.
Some 60 percent of the respondents of the survey used open milk, though they were aware of its potential hazards. Reasons given for continuing use of loose milk in spite of the health hazard awareness included being too used to its taste as opposed to the taste of packaged milk and due to it being a habit for generations.
Besides being consumed by itself, milk is usually used for making tea, desserts and other food and beverage that require it to be boiled during the process, thus killing a few common bacteria, but quite often, the dangerous pathogens survive normal boiling temperatures also.
However when milk is processed for packaging it goes through a number of steps that ensure that no impurity is left at all, Vitamin D is added to fresh milk and it is pasteurised to 2800F (1380C) for at least two seconds, which increases the refrigerated shelf life.
As it flows out of the pasteuriser, most milk is homogenised by being pumped through extremely tiny openings. As a result, the milk fat is broken up into particles too small to stick together and remains mixed throughout the milk rather than rising to the top as cream.
Packaged milk has been regarded as one of science's most useful techniques as it assures fresh, high-quality milk to the consumer without the hassle of refrigeration. It has also become easier to transport; thus people living in remote areas can also benefit from it now.
UHT processed milk is cooled rapidly to at least 7 degrees Celsius and packaged into pre-sterilised containers and aseptically sealed. Since bacteria cannot enter the UHT milk, it can be stored at room temperature for at least three months.
Changing lifestyles have also influenced innovative variations in packaged milk, such as low-fat, skimmed and flavoured milk, Weight conscious people and those suffering from ailments such as diabetes etc prefer other varieties such as skimmed milk.
Packaged milk has clearly surpassed open milk in its advantages and should be encouraged more so that people realise its benefits and switch to a healthier lifestyle.