Ice Cold Milk Tastes Best and is Food Safe!
Milk tastes best when it's served between 35° and 40°F. Children will drink more of it, and get more of the calcium and eight other essential nutrients it has to offer. And, the Child Nutrition Reauthorization Act of 2004, requires each school food authority to have a food safety program in place, in compliance with HACCP principles. In support of this requirement, here are some tools to use.
Milk Temperature Tools
Monitoring your milk and equipment is an important practice to ensure that:
- Milk is served the way children like it best
- Milk serving temperature is safe
- Product stays fresh as long as possible (the shelf life of milk is shortened a full 50% for every five degree rise over 40°)
Cold Milk Fact Sheet — Download for an easy-to-read check list on milk handling and equipment to help you achieve optimum milk holding and serving temperatures.
Milk Temperature Survey — Download and complete the Milk Temperature Survey to evaluate the temperature of milk in your school. Follow the procedures on the survey to test both your milk and cooler temperatures. If the temperatures are above 40°F, review the suggestions on the survey and Cold Milk Fact Sheet, make corrections and retest the milk.
Entering Milk Temperatures Online
Click here for information on entering your milk temperatures online.
Cooler Equipment Catalog
Consult the Cooler Catalog for the latest equipment options to keep milk cold and attractively displayed.

