Milk powders are versatile substances that are domestically used for a variety of drinks and smoothies. A popular variant is a protein powder, which bodybuilders often use to gain muscle weight. As of today, these powders have become an indispensable part of everyone’s lives. The market trends are proof. The market for milk powder will be $30 billion in 2021. With the Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) for 2021-27 being 7.03%, the market trends seem to go in a positive direction. The expectation for the global milk powder market for 2027 is a whopping $45.1 billion. With a growth rate of 6.33%, industries are looking towards milk powder and related business ideas as opportunities.
A plethora of questions linger around the minds about the expiry period of these indispensable powders. As people realize the difference between quality date (best by date) and use by dates, there have been discrepancies over its quality period.
We hope milk business people thoroughly familiarize themselves with our guidelines and truly enhance their profits through the correct operations. The purpose of this blog article is to understand the nits and grits of canned powdered milk shelf life, its quality period, the packaging standards to follow, and how nitrogen can improve the success of milk powder firms by utilizing a high-quality nitrogen flushing and sealing machine.
The lifespan of a product is generally affected by several environmental factors, which are indirectly related to storage requirements. The primary conditions that manipulate the acceptable usage period are product traits. While most wet dairy products have similar storage requirements due to similar characteristics, dry dairy ingredients have a new set of principles to follow. As a result, storage conditions and packaging are imperative factors to consider when manufacturing milk powder.
Bulk ordering and packaging demand the following requirements for shipping and transportation. Can packaging machine applications extend from solids to pastes to spice and nutritional powders as well. Different dairy products have varying lifespans. For example, nonfat dry milk powder shelf life ranges from 12-13 months. When talking about generic situations, dairy products stored under prescribed conditions are less susceptible to color change, mold formation, and free flow.
Dairy Product | Shelf Life |
Lactose-based | 12 months |
Skimmed Milk Powders | 12 to 18 months |
Dry Sweet Whey | 6 to 12 months |
Protein Powders (Concentrated 34%) | 12 months |
Protein Powders (Concentrated 80%) | 12 months |
Whey Protein Isolate | 12 months |
On a general note, ensure that the storage conditions have a temperature no higher than 25 degrees and an overall humidity of 60-65%.
The ‘best by date’ often confuses a handful of users to be the expiry date; this has sprouted the question: “When does the shelf life of powdered milk end?”. It is essential to understand that these dry milk storage life lasts a little longer than the dates mentioned on the label.
The FDA has clearly defined “best by” as those dates on and before which the product is perfect for usage. “Sell by” dates refer to those dates the product can live longer on the shelf when sold. Using past the date mentioned is rarely an extremely hazardous choice. Milk powders are essentially the dry form of the liquid version, and their primary selling point is the extended shelf life. Their dry state makes them less susceptible to expiry when storage is taken care of. The above mentioned table serves as a rudimentary guide to milk powder packaging. The lesser the exposure to moisture, and hikes in temperature, bacteria, and air, the less prone it is to expiry.
Since it’s now clear that protein powders can last a while longer than prescribed dates without turning rancid, it is essential to know the proper storage techniques behind them. While the entire powder may not go wrong overnight, certain elements can get affected through exposure. Canned powdered milk shelf life and that of protein powders have a fatty component that, when improperly stored, can go wrong. Look for the following qualities to know if it is past its shelf life:
Appropriate packaging is a prerequisite for longer shelf life, especially in dry dairy products and ingredients. A thorough reading of product traits and characteristics is imperative to understanding the dairy item, and this information may vary among manufacturers. Their packaging plays a vital role in preserving the nutritional value of its contents and the physical state of consumption. The following guidelines are fundamental to every canned powdered milk shelf life:
Nitrogen is an integral part of packing any food content. When flushed into dairy packaging, it can enhance the shelf life to a substantial amount. Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) relies on nitrogen as a primary gas for preservation without dramatic changes in the product. Today, nitrogen supply is indispensable for industries ranging from food & beverage, chemical, electronics, aerospace, automobile, plastics, metal fabrication, and rubber manufacturing.
These glasses extend product lifespan through protection against bacteria by reducing product waste by displacing oxygen molecules. The mold and mildew growth rates reduce considerably and ensure every corner of the package is covered. MAP plays an all-purpose role in milk powder industries and businesses. In fact, it is quite a common practice to flush nitrogen for food preservation. Apart from MAP, one also needs to consider the following aspects of a food product:
Optimal nitrogen concentration varies per industry, and trial-and-error is probably the only way to get by in these circumstances.
Modified Atmosphere Packaging is a well-known packaging technique that requires extreme amounts of nitrogen for preservation while keeping oxygen at lower concentrations. MAP is often used for milk product packaging; the percentages show more significant variation among products. The role of nitrogen is to effectively reduce the chances of oxidation, which is the primary cause of moisture build-up and damage. Most customized can packaging machine manufacturers promote the usage of MAP standards.
MAP is carried out by flushing nitrogen into the packaging material or using notable films. There are two types of MAP:
Nitrogen is used for its non-reactive and inert properties that provide resistance to microbes while retaining nutritional quality. It is a dry gas that is excellent for moisture prevention and maintaining conformity. The displacement is facilitated by its heavier molecular weight than oxygen. It prevents the following:
Automatic can filling machines manufacturers are used for milk and protein powder packaging and subsequently enhancing the shelf life of the contents. Milk powders and protein powders require intense evaporation and condensation, creating the dried form of dairy. Thus, these machines are manufactured with complete stainless steel materials. Apart from this need, food hygiene also requires packaging machines to be made of this material.
A milk powder filling line is indispensable for businesses specializing in milk and protein powder substances. These nutritional powders must not only be focused on quality and optimal nutritional benefits but also be user-friendly in extending their shelf life. Due to their sensitivity to environmental conditions, various sugars and refined salts can be extremely difficult to handle.
Nitrogen milk powder packaging machines are integral in elongating the product’s usable life and building a quality brand name. Our machines revolve around proving high-end performance to increase prospects in the long run. We offer customization services to make the products scream uniqueness and specialty.
Packaging is essentially divided into two kinds- canned packaging and bagged. The former is more popular and preferred by final consumers due to its protection capabilities and sealing. This type of packaging is not only limited to enhancing canned powdered milk shelf life but also other powdered forms like protein, cocoa, chicken, starch, and many more. Being the most preferred choice, automatic can-filling machines’ design revolves around customer satisfaction and building value for the business. Automatic can filling machines are of two types:
The working of these machines is facilitated through 2 nozzles responsible for filling, while the other functions as a precision check. The first nozzle is wider due to its primary function of filling the cans with these powders. They are all made of stainless steel, a requirement of hygiene standards, and they prevent early spoilage and contamination. The sealing process follows after filling the cans. The top of the can’s cap is pressed with a metal sealing component with extreme pressures to ensure the environment is air-tight until opened.
One can also add business branding and logo on the seal through a colorless plastic cap. The can labeling machines take the cake in such operations. We make sure all the brands stand out and appropriately represent your trademark. Once that is taken care of, the product is well-groomed to show itself in the market and attract customers. This process ensures proper security and contamination-free guarantees through vacuum and nitrogen flushing.
The components in nitrogen flushing machines are as follows:
The overall working procedure concerns the displacement of nitrogen flushing and filling machines that facilitate the screws’ operations. The auger component provides excellent displacement of product through a pathway tunnel. The powder contents finally reach the tank through a funnel-shaped object. The regulation of this process is taken care of by electromagnetic and photoelectric units. Their usage is vast and has recently reached global levels. Thus, it becomes imperative to understand how powdered filling and sealing machines work.
The procedure is as follows:
A minimal amount of oxygen ensures the shelf life will reach up to 3 years. All the other factors, like product specifications and storage, are well-considered. As long as the oxygen percentage is below 1-2% with a high nitrogen concentration, moisture intake will dramatically decrease. This is beneficial for global online services, where these products need to undergo extended commutes and storage periods.
Levapack is one of the most reputed milk powder and protein powder filling machine manufacturers that can reliably impart clients’ specifications. With the ability to pack 30 cans per minute, the work is completed in no time. The machines are designed for optimal user-friendliness and compatible quality control, improving the shelf life of esteemed nutritional powders and increasing packaging efficiency.
Milk powder businesses and manufacturers are crucial in providing quality to their target consumers. These supplements are essential to everyone’s diet and provide protein-rich content derived from plant and animal products. They are whole foods, and their market stance states their importance in daily life. The shelf life, however, is a matter of great concern. Improper packaging and storage conditions are the recipe for destroying the nutritional value of the content. Our dry dairy product packaging, filling, flushing, and sealing machines can ensure maximum helpful life and reliable packaging efficiency.
The client is always in power regarding the required specifications of our services. We understand that our standard machines and operations may not cater to all businesses, which is precisely why we promote customization opportunities for esteemed clients. There is always freedom of choice, and professional advice is always at the doorstep. Levapack’s mission and vision revolve around closely working and serving clients to ensure brand success. Contact us to get a quote today!