How to safely freeze milk, according to health experts

Not being able to finish all your groceries before they expire isn't a good feeling. But how do you know when it's OK to freeze certain food products?

Milk may not be the first thing to come to mind when thinking about freeze-able goods, but nutrition and health experts actually recommend it if you don't think you'll consume the whole carton by its "best by" date.

It's also "a great way to reduce food waste and save money by stocking up when prices are low," says Shelley Balls a registered dietitian and nutritionist for Consumer Health Digest.

There are some health and safety measures that need to be taken into account first, though. Here's what to know about freezing and then consuming milk.

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Can you freeze milk?

"It is completely safe to drink milk that's been frozen," registered dietitian and recipe writer Micah Siva says. There's one caveat, though: "The taste and texture may be altered slightly." If that bothers you, you can skip drinking the milk or pouring it in your coffee and instead save it for pancake, muffin, cake or oatmeal recipes.

From a nutritional standpoint, experts say frozen milk is "nearly identical" to fresh milk — "so don't let that deter you," Siva adds.

More: The USDA is testing raw milk for the avian flu. Is raw milk safe?

How do you thaw frozen milk?

Milk should normally only be consumed up until the "use by" date on the carton. But once frozen, milk can be consumed for up to three months after the date of purchase, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Within those three months, frozen milk can be safely consumed — but experts say there are a few other steps you need to take first.

"While freezing isn't an issue, thawing can be," Siva says. "Be sure to defrost overnight with the milk in fridge, not on the counter."

Freezing can also make the fat separate, so depending on which kind of milk you're freezing, it may be necessary to shake the milk to re-incorporate the fat, Balls adds.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Can you freeze milk? What health experts want you to know