Odd question about milk going bad

lilikoiknits
Sorry this is not directly related to sourdough baking, but a possible strange side effect and I figured you all here might have some ideas about this issue.  

I've been having a problem lately with the milk I've been buying going bad really fast.  I thought it might be the refrigerator temperature, so I've turned it down and I have a thermometer in it.  Since then the temperature has been in the 34-37F range (the high side if I just added non-cold foods, which seems to be well within optimal range.  I've also moved it out of the door (and the thermometer is right next to where the milk is). 

I've bought different brands, from different stores, but gets that sour smell (and taste) like a week before the expiration date.  Other things in my fridge don't seem to be going bad faster than normal.

 I've been trying to figure out what is going on, and then I realized that this has been happening for about the same time I've been storing left over starter in my fridge (for making pizza dough, etc). 

Since I realized this I've been wondering if it is come strange coincidence or if there is something going on where the starter is affecting the milk.  The milk has all been gallon containers with screw-on lids, so it is pretty secure.  The discarded starter is in a container with plastic wrap secured by a rubber band. 

Anyone have any ideas if the milk issue might be related to the starter?  Anyone had anything similar happen? 

Thanks!

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Millciti's picture
Millciti 2009 May 17
Do you allways  buy your milk from the same store?  I really don't think it is your starter.  I keep three different starters with loose fitting caps to allow the cultures to breathe.  I also have milk in both plastic snap caps and coated paper cartons and no problems with short dates.   But a couple of years ago - pre sourdough, I did have a problem.  

Lots of dairy products that I had been buying were going bad before their due date.  Cottage cheese, sourcream and even milk, the problem really puzzled me.  Then one day I went to the store to get something and picked up a container out of one of the dairy coolers and realized it was barely cool.  I looked up and saw that the cooler thermostat was setting at 50 something...  Well after I showed it to the store manager the problem just went away after that.  Hummm...they had not realized that the cooler was failing.

Hope this will help!

By the way, my Dad was in the Navy so I spent my first years of memory in Hawaii!  I was only four when we left and moved to New Jersey.

Terri
lilikoiknits 2009 May 18
Thanks for the comment.  The milk has been from different stores, and different brands.  I know it seems strange, but it just seems like an odd coincidence if the two aren't related.  I'm just wondering if the lactic acid from the SD is getting into the milk and making it taste sour.  


I'm not Hawaiian, but my husband is; the user name is because I really like lilikoi ( passion fruit), both the fruit and the flower.  

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