Freshness Counts

• As long as you pop milk in the freezer before the expiration date, it will remain safe to drink past the expiration date after thawing. Freezing stops pathogens that cause food borne illness from multiplying, so frozen milk remains safe to drink indefinitely. Quality is another issue. After 30 days in the freezer, the taste and texture of the milk begins to change. The milk may also begin to develop an off odor during freezing.

Room For Expansion

• Store milk in an airtight container before putting it in the freezer. Liquid expands during the freezing process, so leave at least 1/2 inch of space between the milk and the top of the container. If you are using the original manufacturer’s packaging, open the top and pour some out to create the space needed for expansion. For narrow-neck containers, leave 1 1/2 inches of head space.

Safe Thawing

• When it comes time to thaw the milk, don't let it defrost on the counter. As the milk thaws, dangerous pathogens again become active. Let it thaw in the refrigerator, where it may take a few days, so plan ahead. A cold water bath is also safe for thawing, provided you refrigerate the thawed milk immediately.

Grainy Separation

• Once frozen milk thaws, you may notice signs of separation. A grainy layer of fat may separate and float to the top of the container, which is why low-fat or fat-free milk fares better in the freezer than whole milk. After thawing is complete, vigorous shaking of the container re-blends the milk, making this grainy separation more palatable. Immediately refrigerated, thawed milk past its expiration date is safe to drink within two to three days.