Should you boil packet milk before drinking?

In India, boiling milk is a long-standing tradition due to historical concerns about bacterial contamination from local dairy sources.

Packaged milk is usually pasteurised, meaning it has already undergone heat treatment to kill harmful bacteria, making boiling unnecessary for safety.

Boiling pasteurised milk can lead to a loss of essential nutrients like Vitamin C, Vitamin B, and protein effectiveness due to heat.

Boiling alters the flavour, making the milk sweeter and creamier, which some people prefer.

If there’s any uncertainty about how the milk was stored or if the packet is damaged, boiling can serve as an extra precaution.

While boiling can kill bacteria, it also eliminates beneficial organisms, so it's not always necessary if the milk is stored and sealed properly.

If the milk is unpasteurised, boiling is recommended to kill any potential harmful microorganisms.

Instead of boiling, gently warming the milk for a few minutes is a good option to preserve its nutrients while ensuring it's safe to drink.