Frequently Asked Questions
1) Can I freeze milk?
Although we do not recommend freezing milk products, for some customers it is a necessity. Milk may be frozen for as long as three months provided the sealed container is frozen prior to the best before date. Skim and 2% milk freeze better than homogenized milk. Thaw frozen milk in the refrigerator (should fat separation occur, mix well). The milk will still have the same nutrients, but it may separate. Freezing cream is not recommended because it affects the quality of the product. In most cases, freezing causes changes to the fat, which can lead to poor texture.
2) Does Reid’s get any of its milk from cows that have been given the Bovine Growth Hormone to increase their milk productivity? I read that it is used by some farms in the USA.
Absolutely not. In fact, the Bovine Growth Hormone is illegal in Canada because its use is thought to be harmful to cows and considered unethical. Absolutely none of our milk comes from cows treated with this hormone.
3) Are there any antibiotics in the milk?
The milk inspection system is very thorough when it comes to antibiotic testing. To ensure your milk is free of antibiotics, all milk is tested for antibiotics several times as it moves from farm to dairy to grocery store shelf.
4) Which milk is best for my child?
During the first 4 years children’s bodies are rapidly growing and developing. High energy foods, such as Reid’s Dairy homogenized milk, provide more energy, and may be better suited for young children. Children over 4 years should follow Canada’s Food Guide, which suggests 2-3 servings of lower fat dairy products each day. Consult a registered dietitian or pediatrician for more information.
5) Why does my milk go sour before the best before date on the carton?
If milk is always stored at the proper temperature (between 1 and 4 degrees Celsius), it will be fresh tasting if consumed before the best before date on the package. Did your milk carton sit in your warm car for a few hours on your way home from the grocery store? Did you leave it on your kitchen counter? Is your refrigerator temperature greater than four degrees Celsius? These are some common reasons why milk warms up and goes sour before the best before date. For great tasting Reid’s Dairy milk, keep it cold at all times.
6) How do I keep my milk fresh?
In warm weather (if your trip home takes longer than 20 minutes) , bring an insulated cooler with ice to keep milk, cream and other perishable foods cold. Once in your kitchen, place these foods in the refrigerator as soon as possible. Even short periods of time at room temperature can cause off flavours and spoilage before the best before date. Store milk and cream on refrigerator shelves rather than the door, which is not cold enough, rotating them to use older products first. Regularly check the temperature of your refrigerator. It should register between 1°C and 4°C (39°F).
- Serve milk, cream and other dairy products from their original containers.
- Store milk, cream and other dairy products away from strong-smelling foods. Dairy products are sensitive to odours.
- Did you know? It only takes 30 minutes at room temperature for the temperature of a litre of milk to rise above the danger point to where irreparable damage can occur.
7) Are Reid’s Dairy products Gluten-Free?
The majority of Reid ‘s Dairy products are Gluten-Free. There are some obvious exceptions with some ice cream flavours due to the added inclusions:
- Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice Cream
- Cookies & Cream Ice Cream
- Cherry Cheesecake Ice Cream
- Blueberry Cheesecake Ice Cream
- Chocolate Fudge Brownie Ice Cream
8) Are the mono & di-glycerides that are used as stabilizer in Reid’s products from animal or plant origin?
All of the mono and di-glycerides contained in our stabilizers are from a plant origin.