What Is Milk Powder and Why Is It Made?

Milk powder, or powdered milk, is a form of dairy product made from milk that has had all the water removed and is thus shelf-stable and lightweight. By simply adding water, the powdered milk can easily be reconstituted back into liquid form. But why produce milk powder? Milk powder is primarily made to prolong the shelf-life of liquid milk, and to ensure there are no shortages in areas with limited access to fresh milk or refrigeration.

However, developing milk powder is not just for the sake of convenience. Milk powder contains all the same nutrients as liquid milk, like calcium, protein, and vitamin D, which makes it great to have on its own or as a part of a meal. From cooking, baking, or even forming the basis for infant formula, the versatility of milk powder is just as astounding as its use. Whole milk powder offers a creamy flavor while skim milk powder serves as a healthier alternative. The potential applications of milk powder range from households to different industries.

A Brief History of Milk Powder Production

The production of milk powder has a rich history that stretches back to the 13th century when Mongolians created milk that could easily be transported thanks to their rudimentary techniques of drying. Moving into the 19th century, a Russian chemist Osip Krichevsky pioneered the first commercial method of making powdered milk using a process referred to as spray drying. His invention revolutionized the dairy industry and made powdered milk easier to access around the globe.

Additionally, during the early 20th century, Canada, New Zealand, and China emerged as frontrunners in the production of milk powder. Further advancements in technology such as improved evaporation processes and heated chambers for drying enabled them to efficiently mass produce the product. In this day and age, powdered milk is essential to maintain food security throughout the globe as it ensures dairy is accessible even in the most inaccessible areas.

Different Types of Milk Powder Explained

There are different types of milk powder based on usage and application.

• Whole Milk Powder

Whole milk powder has a rich creamy taste and is packed with fats. It is best for baking and confectionery items where the end product benefits from such richness. Whole milk powder has more fat than other milk powders, which is why it is great for dishes like chocolates or custards that require an abundance of cream.

• Skim Milk Powder

Skim milk powder or nonfat dry milk is a healthier option. Because it contains little to no fat, it is more suited to people wishing to limit their calorie intake while enjoying the benefits of milk. It does offer an advanced advantage when it comes to household and industry use, and that is its longer shelf life.

• Instant Milk Powder

It is a lot more convenient because instant milk powder dissolves readily in cold water, allowing it to be enjoyed anytime and anywhere. This kind of milk powder is made for individuals leading a busy life who do not want to sacrifice quality while on the run.

• Infant Formula

Milk powder, which is another sub-product of dairy, is fortified to provide special nutrition required by infants in what is known as infant formula. Also containing calcium, iron, and some vitamins, it assists with the growth and development of the infant during the early days of life.

• Dehydrated Milk Powder

Further, dehydrated milk powder is subjected to further processing for its industrial uses. This also entails that the company comes up with niche formulas such as lactose powders or high protein content formulas, which find application in nutritional supplementaries and other specialty foods.

• Oat Milk Powder

As more and more people shift towards a plant-based diet, oat milk powder emerged as a modern invention to fill that demand. It does not only provide a creamy texture akin to milk without lactose, but it also serves as a great dairy alternative for vegans.

Step-by-Step of the Milk Powder Production Process

1. 1. Raw Milk Collection

This process starts at a dairy farm level through the gathering of raw milk and transporting it to the processing facilities. On reaching the places of processing, the various tests on milk are done to ensure the set quality standards are met. These types of tests include evaluation of bacteria, moisture, and other nutrients present. Once they are passed, the milk is stored in refrigerated tanks until processing begins to ensure its quality is maintained, and is ready to be used.

2. 2. Pasteurization

In this step, pasteurization is performed. This step of the process ensures the milk is good for human consumption. The pasteurization process entails heating the milk for 15 seconds, and the temperature is around 72 degrees Celsius. This step helps in the elimination of several potential bacteria while still preserving the complete nutrition components in the milk such as the vitamins and minerals.

3. 3. Standardization

In this step, the fat and protein levels of the milk are modified, leading to the production of different types of milk powder, like whole or skim milk powder. In addition to the already mentioned powdered forms of milk, adjusted fatty elements are added to specialized goods like infant formula to fulfill additional dietary requirements. quality.

4. 4. Evaporation

After the milk has undergone pasteurization, it is transformed into an evaporator where almost 60% of the water is drained. Milk is heated under a partial vacuum, which minimizes nutrient loss while dissolving nutrients. With this technique, milk is converted into a concentrated liquid which aids in the reduction of the volume and prepares it for the drying stage.

5. 5. Spray Drying

The milk powder is then cooled very fast to disperse it and to avoid it from clumping at hand. This step also allows them to preserve the nutritive value of the powder and achieve the right level of dryness. Gentle cooling is required to keep milk powder fresh in bulk and transport it to its end users.

6. 6. Cooling

The milk powder is then cooled very fast to disperse it and to avoid it from clumping at hand. This step also allows them to preserve the nutritive value of the powder and achieve the right level of dryness. Gentle cooling is required to keep milk powder fresh in bulk and transport it to its end users.

7. 7. Sieving and Testing

Before being packaged, the milk powder undergoes a grading system that is intended to achieve uniform particle size and texture. To meet the quality parameters, including nutritional content, moisture levels, and microbial safety, the powder is thoroughly tested. Only batches that meet the set quality benchmarks are ready for packaging.

8. 8. Packaging and Storage

The last step of the milk powder production process is packaging, which in addition to enhancing product quality, also extends shelf life. Depending on the market demand, the milk powder is first moved to automated filling systems, where it is preserved in various forms like aluminum foil bags, smaller retail containers, or larger industrial drums.

The containers are sealed immediately after they are filled to avoid any contact with external air, moisture, or foreign substances. Considering the packaging type, different sealing techniques are employed as well. While industrial foil pouches are often sealed with heat, the large industrial pails may simply use lid pressure or vacuum to keep moisture out. Proper sealing is critical to maintaining the milk powder’s dryness and protecting its nutritional content.

The packages proceed to the labeling stage as soon as they are sealed. Each package of milk powder is labeled with pieces of information such as batch numbers, expiry dates, and nutritional values for easy identification and monitoring of quality checks.

In the end, the products are stored properly in cool, dry places to ensure they do not go bad for a long time. Good packaging and these storage conditions ensure that the milk powder does not spoil during transport and can be delivered to customers around the world safely.

The Importance of Packaging in Milk Powder Production

Powder milk packaging is vital to maintain the integrity and effectiveness of a product; it is an essential step in its production. Moisture and oxygen, if allowed to infiltrate, can cause clumping, loss of nutrition, and bacterial growth in the powder. Powders need to be protected from contamination and packaging tries to seal in the integrity of the final product so that it stays untouched. It is equally important that the packaging is done as rapidly and effectively as possible. A delay in sealing ensures poor quality and an overall decreased shelf life. Therefore, to retain the safety and quality of the powder, speedy and secure packing is necessary.

Rapid packaging reduces the amount of time the powder milk is exposed to air, safeguarding its freshness and adhering to stringent quality measures. For businesses looking to export or deal with bulk production, efficient packaging systems are crucial. It ensures that products are not compromised during transit, which enables high-quality goods to reach consumers.

Levapack offers solutions for manufacturers who want to improve their operations and satisfy the requirements of fast and efficient packaging. For more information and specific assistance regarding sophisticated and efficient packaging equipment, please do not hesitate to contact Levapack.

Versatile Applications of Milk Powder

Milk powder’s various uses and nutritional value make it a prime component across an array of sectors.

• Food Industry: Milk powder serves to enhance taste and flavour as well as add texture to some baked goods, such as bread and cakes, and it also contributes creaminess to soups and sauces. In confectionery, it serves to add richness to chocolates, caramels, and other sweets.

• Beverages: Instant milk powder has made it easier to substitute for fresh milk because it dissolves easily into hot or cold water. It is an important component in coffee creamers, protein shakes, smoothies, and even infant formula.
• Plant-Based and Health Products: Innovations like oat milk powder and other fortified milk powder varieties serve this increasing demand for vegan and fortified options.
• Cosmetics: As a result of its moisturizer value, milk powder is highly sought after in the cosmetic industry and is often incorporated into face masks, body creams, and soaps to improve skin texture.
• Animal Feed: To young livestock, milk powder is a vital protein and nutrient supplement, thus aiding in healthy development. It is key for productivity amongst dairy farms.

Final Thought

Therefore, milk powder remains a staple in today’s food industry because it is convenient, has a very long shelf life and the nutritional value is not inferior to liquid milk. Application of the ingredient in most sectors, including meal production, beverages, fruits, detergents, and cosmetics makes it a crucial component in enhancing food sustainability for consumers. As the technologies of production are improving, the dairy industry is also developing, and it is solving the existing problems, such as energy consumption and the impact on the environment. Milk powder is still a relevant product. It is easy to use, nutritious, and readily available. It is used in homes and industries across the globe.