Many wonder whether pasteurized milk sold in sachets or tetrapacks needs to be boiled before consumption. While some say that boiling pasteurized milk would reduce its nutritional quality, others insist that milk must be boiled, even if it is pasteurized or not, to make it drinkable. In India, boiling milk is a common cooking habit. Milk purchased directly from farms or dairy producers is boiled to kill bacteria that can cause illness. Most of us did not give up this habit even when we used pasteurized milk packets before they were sold in the market. India’s hot summers and lack of proper storage facilities like refrigerators in rural areas have forced consumers to stick to the habit. But what do the experts say?

Doctors say that when milk is boiled, bacteria like salmonella and clostridium are destroyed. The proteins found in milk break down easily, aiding digestion, while the broken down fat molecules help assimilate nutrients. Plus, boiling ensures that the milk stays fresh longer. However, there is no need to boil pasteurized milk because the bacteria have already been destroyed. In pasteurization, milk is heated to a high temperature for a specific period of time before being cooled and packaged. Dietitians do not rule out the risk that milk loses its vitamins C and B when pasteurized milk is boiled. Instead of boiling, pasteurized milk can be warmed over medium heat for 4 to 5 minutes before consuming it.

Myths and facts about pasteurized milk
According to Michigan State University, pasteurized milk retains most, but not all, nutrients. Additionally, milk should always be refrigerated even when pasteurized, as pathogens can grow if left in the dangerous temperature zone of 40 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit. It is a myth that animals raised in sanitary conditions do not carry pathogens. Additionally, even though many people on the internet claim that pasteurized milk can make lactose intolerance worse, unlike raw milk, experts say there is no truth behind this. Many “raw milk evangelists” in countries like the United States claim that raw milk contains more nutrients and probiotics; however, dietitians say this is an idea widely propagated by social media and the “influenced” desire to eat “more naturally.”