NONFAT DRY MILK (NFDM), SKIM MILK POWDER (SMP)
Basic guidelines for composition, physical and chemical aspects
Product Definition
Nonfat dry milk (as defined by FDA/CFR) is obtained by removing water from pasteurized skim
milk. It contains 5% or less moisture (by weight) and 1.5% or less milkfat (by weight). By
removing moisture to the greatest extent possible, microbial growth is prevented. Nonfat dry
milk is classified for use as an ingredient according to the heat treatment used in its
manufacture. There are three main classifications: high heat (least soluble), medium heat, and
low heat (most soluble).
Extra grade nonfat dry milk powders are available in roller dried and spray dried form, the latter
being the most common. Nonfat dry milk powders are available in two forms: ordinary or non-
agglomerated (non-instant) and agglomerated (instant).
The Codex Alimentarius, in its standard 207-1999, describes milk powders and cream powder
as milk products which can be obtained by the partial removal of water from milk or cream. The
fat and/or protein content of the milk or cream may have been adjusted to comply with the
compositional requirements of the standard, but the addition and/or withdrawal of milk
constituents in such a way as not to alter the whey protein to casein ratio of the milk being
adjusted. Milk retentate, milk permeate and lactose are allowed for protein adjustment
purposes. The Codex Alimentarius standard sets compositional criteria for skimmed milk
powder which are: maximum milk fat: 1.5% m/m, maximum water: 5% m/m, and minimum
protein in milk solids non fat: 34% m/m. the standard also makes provision for the use of
additives: stabilizers (sodium and potassium citrates, no more than 5 g/kg), firming agents
(potassium chloride and calcium chloride, limited by GMP), acidity regulators (5 g/kg),
emulsifiers, anti-caking agents and antioxidants. Milk powders should also comply with the
maximum limits established by the Codex Alimentarius Commission. In it Annex, the standard
references additional quality factors and methods of analysis recommended by the International
Dairy Federation.
Storage
Ship and store in a cool, dry environment at temperatures less than 27°C and relative humidity
less than 65%. The shelf life of non-instant skim milk powder is 12-18 months, instant is 6-12
months. Note that storage life is very dependent on storage conditions and this figure is only a
guide. Under ideal conditions, non-instant skim milk powder can retain its physical and
functional properties for at least two years; however quality will be impaired if temperatures and
humidity are too high and storage is extended.
Typical Composition
Protein 34.0-37.0%
Lactose 49.5-52.0%
Fat 0.6-1.25%
Ash 8.2-8.6%
Moisture
(non-instant) 3.0-4.0%
(instant) 3.5-4.5%
Physical and Chemical Aspects
Typical Microbiological Analysis
Standard Plate Count <10,000 cfu/g*
Coliform 10/g (maximum)
E. coli Negative
Salmonella Negative
Listeria Negative
Coagulase-positive Staphylococci Negative
Other Characteristics
Scorched particle content
(spray dried) 7.5-15.0 mg
(roller dried) 22.5 mg
Titratable acidity 0.14-0.15 mg
Solubility index
(instant) 1.0 ml
(spray dried, low heat) 1.2 ml
(high heat) 2.0 ml
(roller dried) 15.0 ml
Color White to light cream color
Flavor Clean, pleasing dairy flavor
*Extra grade
Nonfat Dry Milk – Typical Nutritional Composition
Per 100 g Nonfat Dry Milk, Per 100 g Nonfat Dry Milk,
with added Vitamin A Instant
Nutrient
Water 3.16 3.96
Energy 362 Kcal, 1516 KJ 358 Kcal, 1498 KJ
Protein 36.16 g 35.10 g
Lipid 0.77 g 0.72 g
Carbohydrate (by difference) 51.98 g 52.19 g
Fiber, total dietary 0.0 g 0.0 g
Ash 7.93 g 8.03 g
Minerals
Calcium 1257 mg 1231 mg
Iron 0.32 mg 0.31 mg
Magnesium 110 mg 117 mg
Phosphorus 968 mg 985 mg
Potassium 1794 mg 1705 mg
Sodium 535 mg 549 mg
Zinc 4.08 mg 4.41 mg
Copper 0.041 mg 0.041 mg
Manganese 0.020 mg 0.020 mg
Selenium 27.3 µg 27.3 µg
Vitamins
Ascorbic acid 6.8 mg 5.6 mg
Thiamin 0.415 mg 0.41 mg
Riboflavin 1.550 mg 1.74 mg
Niacin 0.951 mg 0.89 mg
Pantothenic acid 3.568 mg 3.23 mg
Vitamin B6 0.361 mg 0.34 mg
Folate 50 µg 50 µg
Vitamin B12 4.03 µg 3.99 µg
Vitamin A, IU 2179 4
Vitamin A, RE 653 µg 4 µg
Vitamin E, apha-tocopherol 0.00 mg 0.019 mg
Lipids
Saturated, total 0.49 g 0.47 g
Monounsaturated, total 0.20 g 0.19 g
Polyunsaturated, total 0.03 g 0.03 g
Cholesterol 20 mg 18 mg
Amino Acids
Tryptophan 0.51 g 0.49 g
Threonine 1.63 g 1.58 g
Isoleucine 2.18 g 2.21 g
Leucine 3.54 g 3.43 g
Lysine 2.86 g 2.78 g
Methionine 0.99 g 0.88 g
Cystine 0.33 g 0.32 g
Phenylalanine 1.74 g 1.69 g
Tyrosine 1.74 g 1.69 g
Valine 2.42 g 2.34 g
Arginine 1.30 g 1.27 g
Histidine 0.98 g 0.95 g
Alanine 1.24 g 1.21 g
Aspartic acid 2.74 g 2.66 g
Glutamic acid 7.57 g 7.35 g
Glycine 0.76 g 0.74 g
Proline 3.50 g 3.40 g
Serine 1.96 g 1.90 g
Source: Reference Manual for U.S. Milk Powders. Arlington, VA: U.S. Dairy Export Council, 2005.
p32-34.
This product has been inspected by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
and meets all applicable quality standards for food grade products according to USDA and
U.S. Food and Drug Administration provisions.
