Ultra-high-temperature processing
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224693220
2008-07-10T00:17:18Z
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/* Nutrition: UHT vs Pasteurized Milk */
[[Image:Brique lait dsc04430.jpg|thumb|right|A brick of [[France|French]] UHT milk]]
'''Ultra-high temperature processing''' or (less often) '''ultra-heat treatment''' (both abbreviated '''UHT''') is the partial [[sterilization (microbiology)|sterilization]] of [[food]] by heating it for a short time, around 1-2 seconds, at a temperature exceeding 135°C (275°F), which is the temperature required to kill spores in milk.<ref name="guelph">{{cite web |url=http://www.foodsci.uoguelph.ca/dairyedu/uht.html |title=UHT Processing |accessdate=2008-01-07 |last= |first= |coauthors= |date= |work= |publisher=University of Guelph, Department of Dairy Science and Technology}}</ref> The high temperature also reduces the processing time, thereby reducing the spoiling of nutrients.
The most common UHT product is [[milk]], but the process is also used for fruit juices, [[cream]], [[Yogurt|yoghurt]], [[wine]], [[soup]]s, and [[stew]]s.<ref name="guelph"/>UHT milk was invented in the 1960s, and became generally available for consumption in 1970s.<ref>{{cite web
| title = Taste for a cool pinta is a British Tradition
| publisher = The Times
| url = http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/health/article2658180.ece
| accessdate = 2008-04-03
}}</ref>
High heat during the UHT process can cause [[Maillard reaction|Maillard browning]] and change the sensory characteristics of dairy products.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Clare |first=D.A. |authorlink= |coauthors=W.S. Bang, G. Cartwright, M.A. Drake, P. Coronel and J. Simunovic |year=2005 |month= |title=Comparison of Sensory, Microbiological, and Biochemical Parameters of Microwave Versus Indirect UHT Fluid Skim Milk During Storage |journal=Journal of Dairy Science |volume=88 |issue=12 |pages=4172–4182 |pmid=16291608 |url=http://jds.fass.org/cgi/content/full/88/12/4172#VALERO-ETAL-2001 |accessdate= |quote= }}</ref>
UHT milk has a typical [[shelf life]] of six to nine months, until opened. It can be contrasted with [[Flash pasteurization|HTST pasteurization (high temperature/short time)]], in which the milk is heated to 72°C (161.6°F) for at least 15 seconds.
==Nutrition: UHT vs Pasteurized Milk==
'''Calories:''' depending on variety of milk, UHT milk contains the same amount of calories as pasteurized milk.<br>
'''Calcium:''' UHT and pasteurized milk contain the same amount of calcium.<br>
'''Folate:''' UHT milk contains less folate than pasteurized milk.
UHT milk contains 1 mcg of folate per 100g, while pasteurized contains 9 mcg.<ref>{{cite web
| title = Taste for a cool pinta is a British Tradition
| publisher = The Times
| url = http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/health/article2658180.ece
| accessdate = 2008-04-03
}}</ref><br>
'''Vitamin B12, Vitamin C and Thiamin:''' Some nutritional loss can occur in UHT milk.<ref>{{cite web
| title = UHT: MILKING IT FOR ALL IT'S WORTH
| author = GREG MORAGO
| publisher = Hartford Courrant
| url = http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/courant/access/516671751.html?dids=516671751:516671751&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=Dec+27%2C+2003&author=GREG+MORAGO%3B+COURANT+STAFF+WRITER&pub=Hartford+Courant&desc=UHT%3A+MILKING+IT+FOR+ALL+IT'S+WORTH&pqatl=google
| accessdate = 2008-04-03
}}</ref>
==Popularity==
UHT milk has seen large success in much of [[Europe]], where across the continent as a whole 7 out of 10 Europeans drink it regularly.<ref name="cons">Solomon. Zaichkowsky, Polegato.''Consumer Behavior'': Pearson, Toronto. 2005. pg 39</ref> In fact, in a hot country like Spain, UHT is preferred due to high costs of refrigerated transportation and "inefficient cool cabinets."<ref>{{cite web
| title = Without prejudice.
| publisher = Dairy Industries International.
| url = http://md1.csa.com/partners/viewrecord.php?requester=gs&collection=TRD&recid=29671AN&q=popularity+UHT+milk&uid=792707876&setcookie=yes
| accessdate = 2008-04-03
}}</ref> Europe's largest manufacturer, [[Parmalat]], had $6 billion of sales in 1999.<ref name="cons" />
However, these figures conceal wide variations as in most European countries [[flash pasteurization|High Temperature/Short Time (HTST)]] pasteurised milk is more popular.
'''UHT milk as a percentage of total consumption:'''
<ref>{{cite web
| title = The UHT route to long-life planet
| publisher = Times Online
| url = http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article2658175.ece
| accessdate = 2008-03-01
}}</ref>
Austria 20.3 <br />
Belgium 96.7 <br />
Britain 8.4 <br />
Czech Rep 71.4 <br />
Denmark 0.0 <br />
Finland 2.4 <br />
France 95.5 <br />
Germany 66.1 <br />
Greece 0.9 <br />
Hungary 35.1 <br />
Ireland 10.9 <br />
Italy 49.8 <br />
Netherlands 20.2 <br />
Norway 5.3 <br />
Poland 48.6 <br />
Portugal 92.9 <br />
Slovakia 35.5 <br />
Spain 95.7 <br />
Sweden 5.5 <br />
Switzerland 62.8 <br />
In June 1993, [[Parmalat]] introduced its UHT milk to the United States. <ref>{{cite web
| title = Seeking to Change U.S. Tastes; Italian Company Sings The Praises of UHT Milk
| publisher = The New York TImes
| url = http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F0CEFDC1E3CF935A15755C0A965958260&scp=1&sq=UHT&st=nyt
| accessdate = 2008-04-03
}}</ref>
However in the North American market, consumers have been uneasy about consuming milk which is not delivered under refrigeration, and have been much more reluctant in buying it.{{Fact|date=January 2008}} To combat this, Parmalat is developing UHT milk in old-fashioned containers.{{Fact|date=January 2008}} Many milk products in North American foods are made using UHT milk, such as [[McDonalds]] McFlurries.{{Fact|date=January 2008}} UHT milk is also used on airplanes.{{Fact|date=January 2008}}
UHT milk is sold on American military bases in Puerto Rico, Panama and Korea due to limited availability of milk supplies and refrigeration.<ref>{{cite web
| title = Dairyman wants to send milk to Middle East
| publisher = Deseret News
| url = http://deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,695268138,00.html
| accessdate = 2008-04-03
}}</ref>
==Crohn's disease==
"[[Crohn's disease]] is a disorder of the bowel system, which causes abdominal pain, cramping, fatigue and diarrhea. Researchers at St. George's Hospital Medical School in London say they've found a common link between the disease and milk: [[Mycobacterium avium paratuberculosis]] bacteria, or [[MAP]]."<ref>{{cite web
| title = Study links Crohn's and bacteria in milk
| publisher = CBC News
| url = http://www.cbc.ca/news/story/2003/08/08/Crohns_030808.html
| accessdate = 2008-04-03
}}</ref><br>
However, "researchers caution consumers not to stop drinking milk but rather that people with Crohn's and their close relatives start drinking UHT milk — the long-lasting milk that can sit at room temperature for years. 'UHT involves higher pasteurization temperatures, which probably destroys MAP,' said the scientists."<ref>{{cite web
| title = Study links Crohn's and bacteria in milk
| publisher = CBC News
| url = http://www.cbc.ca/news/story/2003/08/08/Crohns_030808.html
| accessdate = 2008-04-03
}}</ref>
==Environment==
In the UK, the Dairy Farmers have set out to reduce greenhouse gasses by 20%-30% by the year 2020. One of the measures proposed was to achieve a 90% UHT milk production.<ref>{{cite web
| title = Dairy Road Map outlines target for greenhouse gas cut
| publisher = Farmers Guardian
| url = http://www.farmersguardian.com/story.asp?sectioncode=29&storycode=18229
| accessdate = 2008-04-03
}}</ref> The Officials at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs believe that this would significantly cut the need for refrigeration, and benefit the environment by reducing green house emissions.<ref>{{cite web
| title = The UHT route to long-life planet
| publisher = Times Online
| url = http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article2658175.ece
| accessdate = 2008-04-03
}}</ref> However the milk industry opposed this, and the proposition was quickly abandoned.
In Thailand, the environmental concerns are over the UHT milk cartons. [[Tetra Pak]] (Thai) Ltd. was due to "establish Southeast Asia's first recycling plant for used UHT drink containers".<ref>{{cite web
| title = Tetra Pak to set up recycling facility,
| publisher = The Nation
| url = http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-45884347.html
| accessdate = 2008-04-03
}}</ref>
==UHT and Cosmetics==
Recently the application of UHT technology has been pioneered by a French company, ''Laboratoire Cosmétique CL Tech'', in the sterilization of cosmetic products, eliminating the need for the use of preservatives, such as [[parabens]].
<ref>{{cite web
| title = CL Tech uses UHT sterilisation to eliminate need for preservatives
| publisher = Cosmetics Design-Europe.com
| url = http://www.cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/news/ng.asp?n=84986-cl-tech-preservatives-sterilisation
| accessdate = 2008-04-03
}}</ref>
The company is currently searching for international manufacturers, with access to global markets, to broaden the use of this technology.
<ref>{{cite web
| title = CL Tech seeks partners for UHT sterilization process
| publisher = Cosmetics Design-Europe.com
| url = http://www.cosmeticsdesign.com/news/ng.asp?n=85399-cl-tech-preservatives-sterilization
| accessdate = 2008-05-20
}}</ref>
==See also==
*[[Pasteurization]]
*[[sterilization (microbiology)|Sterilization]]
*[[Milk]]
==External links==
*[http://www.westonaprice.org/motherlinda/ultra-pasteurizedmilk.html An article focusing on the negative aspects of UHT milk from the Weston A. Price Foundation]
*[http://itotd.com/articles/220/milk-in-a-box/ Milk in a Box. From: Interesting Thing of the Day]
==References==
{{Reflist}}
[[Category:Food preservation]]
[[Category:Milk]]
[[cs:Ultra-high temperature processing]]
[[da:UHT-behandling]]
[[de:Ultrahocherhitzung]]
[[es:Ultrapasteurización]]
[[fr:Lait UHT]]
[[it:Processo UHT]]
[[he:חלב עמיד]]
[[nl:UHT]]
[[pl:UHT]]
[[fi:Iskukuumennus]]
[[sv:UHT]]