Q: What does the date on a container mean?
A: The "Sell By" date means that the product should remain fresh up to that date when unopened and properly stored.

Q: How long will the product last after the expiration date?
A: Dairy products are very perishable. For best quality, you should use the product before the expiration or "Sell By" date. The number of times the product has been opened and resealed and the amount of time left out of the refrigerator during each use impacts how long it will last. Also, drinking straight from the container affects perishability as bacteria from your mouth may cause the product to spoil faster. Your sense of smell and taste are great indicators of how fresh the product is. If the product looks, smells and tastes OK, it is probably fine to eat or drink.

Q: How long should the product last after opening?
A: How long a product lasts after opening depends on several things:

• how close to the "Sell By" date the product was originally opened
• how many times it has been opened and resealed
• how long it is out of the refrigerator or freezer each time
• whether the product was consumed directly from the container

Milk should remain fresh 5-7 days after opening when treated properly. If you open milk for the first time on or near the "Sell By" date, the milk may not last this long.

Q: What dairy products can I freeze?
A: Follow these general guidelines:

• Milk - Can be frozen for up to 30 days. You may detect some off flavors after thawing. Always thaw frozen milk in the refrigerator.
• Dips and dressings - Freezing of dips is not recommended as it will change the appearance and texture of the products. They may become grainy and watery.
• Cottage cheese - When cottage cheese is frozen, ice crystals swell and break the curd structure, resulting in a mushy, watery texture when thawed.
• Sour cream - For most sour creams, freezing is not recommended because it will change the appearance and texture of the product, which may become grainy and watery.
Fat-free sour creams tend to be more freeze/thaw-stable than low-fat or regular sour cream. For best quality, do not freeze.
• Creams - Whipping cream will not whip up properly if it has been frozen.
• Eggnog - You can freeze eggnog for later use, although you may detect some off flavors after thawing. Always thaw frozen product in the refrigerator.

Q: Does chocolate milk contain caffeine?
A: Yes, chocolate milk contains about 3.7 mg. of caffeine per 8-ounce serving, or 7.5 mg. per 12-ounce serving. A 12-once serving of root beer has about 23 mg. of caffeine, while brewed coffee has 203 mg.

Q: Do dairy products contain sugar?
A: Many dairy products contain lactose, the sugar naturally present in milk. Sugars are not listed on product nutrition panels unless other sugars have been added.