Milk-based drinks

Milk-based drinks are low acid products made from milk, fermented milk or yoghurt and include flavouring or other ingredients. In this sector there are a lot of well-established references, such as milk & coffee, milk & chocolate, smoothies and milkshakes.

Milk-based drinks are widespread on the American market, where fresh milk consumption is steady, and on the European market, where they are going down well thanks to high-protein content. Some countries, for example China, are promoting awareness campaigns about benefits from milk and milk-based drinks consumption, often at the expense of carbonated drinks, that could have relevant effects on whole market sector.

It is possible to bottle milk-based drinks in PET or glass containers using aseptic processing systems that include sterilizing treatments for containers and pasteurization treatments for drinks before the filling process.

But it is also possible to bottle milk-based drinks in retortable carton-based packages that allow the same in-container food sterilization process usually used for cans.

Thanks to a paper board foil layer and a polymer laminate structure, the retortable carton withstands the high pressure and temperature of retorting process, maintaining the shape and the sealed closure undamaged.

Retortable carton offers consumers a lot of advantages, including portability, easy operning and easy pouring; thanks to a stackable, rectangular shape they offer space-saving benefits, when compared to cans or jars. Finally, retortable food is preservative-free.
 

Click here for information about GEA Levati Food Tech batch retort sterilizers