Open the refrigerator and notice it immediately: the cardboard of vegetable milk or rather vegetable drinks, which yesterday seemed normal, is now tense like a balloon, swollen and strangely rigid. Then you stop, try to observe it better. The expiry date is still far away, there was no interruption of the cold chain, in short, everything normal, yet in the appearance of the cardboard something has changed. Why does it happen?
Vegetable milk is not true milk
Let’s start with a simple premise: vegetable milk is not a “alive” product like fresh cow’s milk, but not a completely inert liquid. Is one Suspension based on vegetable ingredients -such as rice, oats, soy, almonds, etc … -, water and stabilizers, contains natural sugars, often additions of mineral salts, sometimes even aromas and vitamins. In theory, it is a controlled, safe, pasteurized and/or sterilized drinking drink, in reality something can go wrong, as in the case of evident swellings of the package.
When the cardboard swells
The swelling of the cardboard is Almost always a fermentation signal. Inside the package they are Developed of microorganisms – bacteria or yeasts – that produce gasesin particular carbon dioxide, which accumulates and pressures on the walls of the container, deforming it. The fact is that it is not a simple aesthetic alteration, but of a signal capable of communicating that The product is compromised.
Now, the question that would be spontaneously is: “How did those microorganisms in there end in?”. Let’s see the answer.
The possible causes
Generally, vegetable milk is subjected to thermal treatments (UHT or pasteurization), which should eliminate any bacterial form. Unfortunately, the treatment is not the only decisive factor, given that The packaging phase is also critical. If this were to take place inside not perfectly sterile environments, or if the packaging was damaged, contaminating microorganisms may be introduced. A rare case, but which can still be outlined.
Another decidedly common scenario concerns The packs already open. After opening, Each contact with air represents a potential entrance for bacteria and/or yeasts. Even a simple paid, with the spout touches the edge of the cup or pot, can facilitate contamination. If the vegetable milk came left out of the refrigerator for too longeven just half an hour – especially in summer – bacteria would find their ideal environment, made of sugars to eat, humidity, perfect temperature, and they would begin to multiply.
Time does its part
Many producers indicate that, after opening, vegetable milk should be consumed within 3-4 days. Actually, Already after 48 hours in the refrigerator, some more sensitive varieties – like those based on rice – they can begin to deteriorate if not preserved in the correct way. We do not always notice it immediately, because the flavor changes in an imperceptible way and the smell remains neutral, even if the fermentative processes have already started.
Which microorganisms come into play?
In case of swelling of the cardboard, the managers can be the yeasts, lactobacilli and other bacterial coloniesmicroorganisms that feed on the sugars present in the drink and produce gases. Not everyone is dangerous for health, but the very presence of gas indicates that something has been alteredwith a possible risk of intoxications and/or infections that yes, remains extremely low, but still possible.
Some vegetable milk – especially the artisan and organic ones, without preservatives – are even more sensitive, and sometimes a small initial contamination is enough to start the process.
So what to do?
In the presence of a swollen cardboardthe rule is only one: do not consume it. Even if the expiry date is far away, even if the appearance of the liquid should appear normal. Opening it and “smelling” is not enough, because as already highlighted some bacteria do not alter the smell evidently, but they can still cause gastrointestinal disorders, therefore better not to risk.
Once the package is opened, it is advisable:
What if it happens often?
If you realize that the more packs of the same brand they swell easily, there may be a upstream problem, in the production or distribution chain. In these cases, Reporting the anomaly to the manufacturer is the best thing to do: Many companies respond to consumer reports and open internal investigations, and in the most extreme cases it has also reached the withdrawal of the lot from the market.
