It is also worth checking the other milk containers stored nearby. If several containers from the same purchase appear swollen, leaking, unusually separated, or otherwise abnormal, avoid consuming them and contact the retailer or manufacturer.
The printed date should never be treated as a guarantee that a food is safe regardless of how it has been stored. Food quality depends on refrigeration, handling, packaging integrity, and storage conditions. This is particularly important with perishable foods such as milk, cream, yogurt, fresh meat, seafood, and other refrigerated products.
Never attempt to “save” suspicious milk by boiling it, adding it to coffee, baking with it, or using it in another recipe. Cooking may change the taste and texture, but it is not a dependable way to make questionable food safe.
A swollen container is especially concerning when accompanied by leaking, a broken seal, unusual discoloration, curdling, a strong unpleasant odor, or a package that appears damaged. When several warning signs appear together, throwing the product away is far better than taking a chance with your health.
So if you open your refrigerator and discover a milk jug that has become dramatically swollen despite having plenty of time left before the printed date, don’t panic—but don’t drink it either. Treat the swelling as a reason to stop and investigate. Keeping refrigerated food at the proper temperature, checking packaging before use, and paying attention to unusual changes can help protect your household from foodborne illness.
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