Shelf-life of milk packaged in plastic containers with and without treatment to reduce light transmission

The effect of prolonged light exposure on the chemical changes in milk stored at 4 degrees C in clear polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles was compared with milk stored in green PET bottles, containers made from PET incorporating a UV blocker, PET containers with exterior labels and high-density polyethylene (HDPE) jugs and low-density polyethylene (LDPE) pouches stored under the same conditions. Data were obtained for lipid oxidation, vitamin A degradation, protein hydrolysis, lipolysis and microbial growth. The milk stored in green PET bottles experienced less lipid oxidation and vitamin A loss than milk stored in the clear PET bottles, or the LDPE pouches and jugs. In general, the milk stored in the clear PET bottles;was not as well protected from the effects of light as milk stored in green bottles or LDPE pouches. However, during the first week of storage, only vitamin A loss showed a substantial difference between the milk stored in green PET bottles, clear PET bottles or LDPE pouches. The PET bottles with UV blockers slowed vitamin A degradation but had little effect on lipid oxidation. Blocking visible light with translucent labels helped to inhibit lipid oxidation and vitamin A degradation. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.