Q. Explain Spoilage of Sweetened condensed milk?
The sweetened condensed milk contains about 8% milk fat, 23% total milk solids and sweetened with the addition of a sweetener, usually sucrose, to prevent spoilage due to the lowered water activity (aw). You would recall studying about water activity. A high aw favours microbial growth in foods The condensed milk is normally packed in small sealed cans. The cans keep for long periods without refrigeration. The spoilage of the canned condensed milk is due to the presence of osmophillic yeasts like Tomlopsis spp or moulds, if the can is under-filled. The spoilage is evident by the swelling of the cans due to gas formation. The spoilage could be due to the entry of spoilage organisms via the canning equipment.