Sensory Quality of Nonfat Dry Milk after Long-Term Storage

Nonfat dry milk was stored under various conditions to determine the effects of temperature, packaging, atmospheric gases, and form of milk on the sensory quality of the stored product. Nonfat dry milk was significantly affected by storage temperature during longterm storage. Nonfat dry milk held at 32C for 6 mo began to develop offflavors and by 24 mo was considered unacceptable when evaluated by a trained sensory panel. After 4-yr storage nonfat dry milk samples stored at 21C were rated unacceptable by the panelists. Storage at 10C resulted in minimal flavor changes in 52 mo. After 4-yr storage, nonfat dry milk samples stored in Polybags were statistically less acceptable than samples stored in cans. The form of milk (instant or regular) did not affect the length of time nonfat dry milk could be stored. Unacceptability of samples was due to an oxidized/stale flavor.