Filtered Milk: Everything You Need to Know

If you’ve ever locked eyes with a bottle of Arla Cravendale in the supermarket, you might have asked yourself the question: What is filtered milk?
It’s pretty much exactly what it sounds like. Filtered milk goes through an extra process where 5 ceramic filters remove naturally occurring bacteria and other impurities while retaining the taste and nutrition of fresh cow’s milk.
This makes the milk last longer in the fridge. Up to 3 weeks unopened, and longer than unfiltered milk once you do open it.
Find Arla Cravendale in your nearest milk aisle.

What is Filtered Milk?

Filtered milk is regular cow’s milk that’s been through an extra filtration process. This process takes out more of the naturally occurring bacteria and other impurities compared to pasteurisation alone. This extra filtration uses fine ceramic filters, but doesn’t impact the overall taste or nutrition of the milk.

This means the milk stays fresh for longer without any additives or extra heating.

What is the Difference Between Filtered and Non-Filtered Milk?

Processing

In the UK, all cows’ milk goes through pasteurisation before it reaches the shelves. Filtered milk is also pasteurised, but has an extra filtration step to further reduce the amount of naturally occurring bacteria and other impurities.

Freshness and Shelf Life

Filtered milk can last up to 3 weeks in the fridge unopened. Once opened, it can last for a week or more whereas, standard milk can last for around a week in the fridge unopened, and a few days once opened.

Taste

While the filtration process doesn’t take away from the natural flavour of milk, you’ll often see people mention the pure, fresh taste in product reviews of filtered milk like Arla Cravendale.

Nutritional Content

Filtered milk contains the same nutrition as regular milk. This includes protein and calcium, which contribute to the maintenance of normal muscles and bones, as well as vitamins B2 and B12.

Product	Calories (per 100ml)	Fat (per 100ml)	Saturates (per 100ml)	Sugar (per 100ml	Protein (per 100ml)
Arla Cravendale Semi-Skimmed Milk	206kj / 49kcal	1.7g	1g	4.8g	3.6g
Regular Supermarket Semi-Skimmed Milk	209kj / 50kcal	1.8g	1.1g	4.8g	3.6g

What Are the Benefits of Filtered Milk?

Lasts Longer - Filtered milk lasts longer than regular milk, meaning fewer grocery trips as well as less waste. It even means you could pop a bottle of Arla Cravendale in the fridge before you go on holiday and know you’ll have fresh milk for a cuppa, no matter what time you get home two weeks later.
Purer Taste - Arla Cravendale filtered milk has a naturally pure and fresh taste. While still retaining that delicious milk flavour, the removal of impurities during filtration helps to refine the taste.
Same Nutrition - Filtration removes bacteria and other impurities, but doesn’t remove the natural goodness of milk. This includes calcium, protein, potassium, and vitamins B2 and B12.
Less Waste - Filtered milk can be a more sustainable choice as you’re less likely to have to throw away milk that’s gone bad. Filtered milk lasts much longer than regular milk, giving you more chances to use it all before it goes bad.
Convenience - If you’re a milk-loving household, you know how much you have to add to your basket in every grocery trip. Filtered milk means you could buy more in one go and reduce the amount of restocking. Just keep a backup or two unopened for a couple of weeks until you need it.

How to Use Filtered Milk:

Filtered milk can be used in all sorts of ways, with all the versatility of standard milk but with the added benefit of staying fresh for longer.

Tea and coffee - Add straight to your favourite hot drink or use it to make a fancy coffee, such as a latte, a cappuccino, or a flat white.
Cooking and baking - As filtered milk stays fresher for longer, you know it’s always handy in the fridge for making any kind of recipe or sweet treat.
Breakfast cereals and porridge - Perfect for splashing over your favourite cereal or for making porridge or overnight oats.
Smoothies and milkshakes - Add to fruit and other ingredients to make your morning smoothie or make homemade milkshakes with bananas or chocolate.

Where to Buy Filtered Milk

Where to Buy Filtered Milk You can find Arla Cravendale in all major UK supermarkets and home delivery services, including:

Petrol Stations Forecourts
Small/Local Independents too
Morrisons
Co-op
Ocado
Amazon

You’ll find it in the chilled section alongside other dairy products, available in skimmed, semi-skimmed and whole milk varieties with size options including 1 pint, 2 pints, and 4 pints.

Just look out for the Arla Cravendale logo on our unique, white bottles.

Filtered Milk FAQs

Is filtered milk better than standard milk?

Filtered milk stays fresh for longer compared with standard milk and doesn’t lose any of the flavour or nutrition. This can make it more convenient and reduce food waste.

Does filtered milk taste different?

The short answer is that filtered milk tastes like milk, but some people find it tastes fresher and purer than standard milk. This may be due to the removal of impurities during the filtration process. Why not try it and find out for yourself?

Is filtered milk healthier?

Filtered milk has the same nutritional values as standard milk. The filtration process just removes the naturally occurring bacteria and other impurities from the milk, meaning it stays fresh for longer.

How long does filtered milk last?

Filtered milk can last up to 3 weeks unopened in the fridge, while regular milk may only last a week to 10 days. Filtered milk also lasts longer once opened.

Does filtered milk need to be refrigerated?

Yes, filtered milk is still fresh cow’s milk and needs to be refrigerated.

Is Arla Cravendale filtered milk?

Yes, Arla Cravendale is filtered milk. In fact, we pioneered our unique filtration process to bring filtered milk to the UK, and we’re still the country’s leading filtered milk brand.

Is filtered milk the same as UHT milk?

Filtered milk and UHT milk are very different products with different processes to make them. Filtered milk is cow’s milk that stays fresh for longer in the fridge thanks to an extra filtration process. UHT milk has been heat-treated to make it shelf-stable, so it doesn’t need to be refrigerated and lasts a very long time. This gives UHT milk a different flavour, while filtered milk provides the same taste and experience as standard fresh milk.

Can you cook with filtered milk?

Yes, you can use filtered milk in the same way as standard milk, whether that’s in baking, making soups or sauces, or in any way you want. The only difference is that filtered milk lasts longer in your fridge.

Is filtered milk more expensive?

Filtered milk can often be a little more expensive than regular cow’s milk. However, it’s worth keeping in mind that filtered milk stays fresh for longer and so is less likely to go bad before you can use it all. This means less food waste and can even mean fewer shopping trips. Arla Cravendale is also farmer-owned, so dairy farmers get a fair price while supporting sustainability and the welfare of our cows.

Is filtered milk suitable for children?

Yes, filtered milk is suitable for kids and anyone who can enjoy regular cow’s milk and dairy products. It contains the same nutrients, such as calcium, protein and vitamins, just in delicious milk that stays fresh for longer.