All milk sold in Canada must be pasteurized
“Raw milk” is milk from cows, goats, or sheep that has not been pasteurized. For safety reasons, it is illegal to sell or give away raw milk or cream products in Canada, with the exception of certain raw milk cheeses. These cheeses are manufactured and produced in a way that helps eliminate harmful bacteria that may be present in raw or unpasteurized milk.
Pasteurization involves heating milk to a high temperature, then cooling it rapidly. This process destroys any pathogens in the milk, such as salmonella and E.coli, while maintaining milk’s nutritional value.
Pasteurization also helps to destroy microorganisms and enzymes that reduce the quality and shelf life of milk and dairy products, making them last longer. Pasteurization was made mandatory by Health Canada in 1991, although it was mandatory in some provinces as early as 1938.
How milk gets to the grocery store
At the dairy farm, cows are milked two or three times a day by machine. The milk goes directly into a large refrigerated holding tank. About every other day, a special refrigerated truck arrives at the farm to collect the milk which is then tested for quality and antibiotics before being taken directly to the processor where it is processed into milk, cream and other milk products.
DYK: Antibiotics are used to prevent pain and suffering in animals when they develop infections. The animal is treated for the infection and the sick cow’s milk will be discarded until the antibiotics have passed through the cow’s system.
Milk at the grocery store
Best known for bone-boosting calcium and vitamin D, milk also provide protein, carbohydrate, fat and other vitamins and minerals. An average 8-ounce serving of 2% dairy milk supplies about 130 calories, 9 grams of protein and 20 grams of carbohydrate. All milk sold in Canada has vitamin D added to it. Vitamin D is important in helping the body absorb calcium.
All cow’s milk produced on Canadian farms is free from added hormones. Look for the 100% Canadian Milk or Dairy Farmers of Canada symbol on the package to confirm it is from Canadian farms.
Today, the milk category reflects tremendous innovation, not only in types of milk, but in formats ranging from glass bottles and cartons to UHT (ultra-high temperature) shelf-stable options. Milk is not only in the refrigerated dairy aisle, but also in the non-perishable natural foods grocery aisle, the beverage aisle and other sections of the store.
Cows milk is still available in whole, 2%, 1%, skim and lactose-free. Individual portions also come in flavours like plain, chocolate, orange, banana and strawberry. The addition of fruity or chocolate flavours generally makes the product much higher in sugar and something that should be reserved for occasional treats only.
Sources: how to shop for milk, Agriculture In The Classroom, FarmFood360