Yes, it's safe to drink milk that was frozen if thawed properly (in the fridge), but the texture often becomes grainy or separated, making it better for cooking, baking, or smoothies than drinking straight. Freezing changes the fat structure, causing separation, but shaking or blending it can help restore some smoothness.
This is a good question! You can freeze milk and it will still be okay to drink when it's thawed. The main thing to keep in mind is that you want to make sure that you don't accidentally leave the container of milk open for too long, as this can cause it to become contaminated.
Freezing milk is perfectly fine. It can actually extend the life of milk that is close to or just past it's sell by date. It can be thawed in the fridge or in cold water and is safe for consumption. Just be aware that the flavor and texture of the milk may be affected but it's fine to consume.
Milk can last for up to 6 weeks in the freezer, without any impact on its flavour and nutritional value. Freeze unopened milk containers in their original packaging before the 'best-before' date. Leftover evaporated milk can be frozen in an airtight container for up to 6 weeks with no adverse effects.
Temperature settings set too low
If your food is freezing, then it is possible that your fridge's temperature setting was accidentally set too low. This is a common problem that can lead to your refrigerator freezing food.
Frozen milk—both animal and human—holds its nutritional properties well; when returned to a liquid state, its nutritional profile remains mostly unchanged. Enzymes and fat-soluble vitamins are usually unharmed, though sometimes depleted, making the decision to freeze milk a smart move for many families.
Before feeding, check the milk for any unusual odor, separation, or strange taste to ensure it is safe for the baby. Once thawed, breast milk should be used within 5 days if re-stored in the refrigerator.
Use milk within 24 hours of thawing in the refrigerator (from the time it is completely thawed, not from the time when you took it out of the freezer).
Thawed milk cannot be refrozen. After 24 hours, throw out unused, thawed milk.
Liquids expand when they're frozen, and that could lead to a broken container and a big mess in your freezer. Use a freezer-safe container or bag, and leave at least two inches of room for expansion as it freezes.
The first is to submerge your frozen milk (in an airtight container) in a bowl of cold water placed in the fridge. It will take about an hour to defrost. Just make sure to change the water after 30 minutes or so.
Some women find that when they thaw their frozen milk it has a strong, soapy, or even rancid, smell. Assuming the milk was fresh and smelled fine when placed in the freezer, this is most often due to an excess of the enzyme lipase in the milk.
Once thawed, breast milk should not be refrozen. Refreezing leads to nutritional loss, bacterial growth, and possible contamination (if already used). Refrozen breast milk loses significant benefits and poses a health risk to your baby.
Energy content decreased when milk was frozen for >8 weeks. Total fat content decreased as the freezing period of milk increased, and total free fatty acid content increased. Thirty days of freezing led to a non-significant decrease in the vitamin E content of milk.
According to KellyMom, if your previously frozen milk contains ice crystals and has not completely thawed, it is still considered frozen and is therefore safe to refreeze.
You can safely store frozen milk in your freezer for up to six months, but for best quality, try to use it within one month of freezing. Once thawed, consume or use the milk within two to three days. If you notice any signs of spoilage after thawing, like a sour taste or rancid odors, it's best to toss the milk out.
Freezing different types of milk
The milk may separate slightly, the flavor and odor may change slightly, and the texture may be grainier. The thawed milk is suitable for cooking, adding to tea or coffee, or using in a smoothie.
The plastic bottles milk is sold in are perfectly fine to freeze milk in after they've been opened, so long as they have a secure, airtight lid and are not full. It's important to never freeze a full container of milk. When it freezes, milk expands – which puts pressure on the container and causes it to burst.
Some people say the milk smells like soap or tastes sour. Even though we may notice changes to the milk after thawing, most babies do not. If this is happening and your baby is refusing thawed milk, try scalding your milk after pumping.
As the breastmilk sits in cool temperatures (fridge or freezer), the lipase starts to break down the fat in the milk. The longer it sits, the more you may start to notice the soapy or metallic smell/taste.
Issues like poor refrigerator organization, a blocked air vent or a leaky door gasket can be the cause of a refrigerator freezing food. You may also discover that your refrigerator parts—like the temperature sensor or control panel—are in need of a replacement to help maintain consistent temperatures.
Stored milk has time for the lipase to take effect resulting in changes to taste and smell. Some women report a soapy or metallic smell while others notice a distinctly fishy whiff.
If milk smells sour or off, don't risk drinking or cooking with it. Taste — If milk smells and looks fine, but you're still unsure it's safe to drink, you can try tasting a small amount. If the milk tastes sour or just not right, spit it out and pour the rest of the carton down the drain.
The general rule of thumb is to use frozen milk within 1-3 months. However, goat's milk, lactose-free milk and non-dairy milk doesn't tend to last as well, so if you can, try to use these within 1-2 months.