How long does long life milk last?

Answer 1

The process that gives the milk a longer shelf life is called ultrahigh temperature (UHT) processing or treatment, in which milk is heated to 138 degrees Celsius for two to four seconds, killing any bacteria in it.

Answer 2

Irradiated food lasts so long because the DNA of the spoiling pathogens is destroyed. Food is usually irradiated using cobalt-60. Radioactive materials can emit three types of radiation. These include alpha particles, beta particles, and gamma rays.

Alpha particles and beta particles are very harmful if ingested because they are composed of matter (nuetrons, protons, electrons), and can exist for longer periods of time in the body, thus allowing more time to cause damage.

However, in food irradiation gamma rays are used. Gamma rays are not composed of matter they are composed of electromagnetic radiation. Gamma rays have very short wavelengths. These short wavelengths allow gamma rays to carry extremely high amounts of energy per unit space/time.

When the gamma rays pass through food, the high energy breaks the bonds holding DNA together. Gamma rays destroy all DNA. Thus the DNA of any pathogens living in the food is destroyed and the pathogen dies.

Milk that is irradiated can be stored at room temperature for a month as long as it is sealed during the irradiation process. Milk sours because of bacterial growth. If their is no bacteria in the milk the milk will not sour. Often people think irradiating food is very dangerous. This in entirely invalid. The gamma rays used to irradiate the food only exist as long as the source emitting them exists. If one takes the milk away from the radiation source the milk will no longer be exposed to the gamma rays.

Using gamma rays to sterilize food is extremely efficient. It is also, by far, the safest way to sterilize food. So why do we use primitive ways such as pasteurization and preservatives to treat food?

Fear founded in ignorance, which is constantly perpetuated by the media and our society.

Answer 3

Why do you tell me there is an answer if there isn't?!

Answer 4

once opened it must be consumed within 5 days, after that it should be discarded if it is unfinished.