Lehigh Valley Dairy Farms, Landsdale, Pa., introduced a new white bottle that is said to protect the purity of milk by blocking light intake. The dairy processor, a brand of Dean Foods, is using the name Pure Protect for the opaque container. It had been using transparent plastic bottles.
In a press release, the dairy processor cited a Cornell University study that found that the fluorescent lighting in retail display cases breaks-down the vitamin A and B2 (riboflavin) in bottled milk and creates flavor defects in as little as two hours.
"It's been widely known that light can damage the flavor and nutritional integrity of milk," said Elizabeth Fassberg, registered dietician and owner of Eat Food. "Because of this, packaging is key to protecting its taste and health benefits - including vitamin A and B2 (riboflavin)."
Lehigh Valley Dairy Farms' whole, reduced fat, low-fat and fat-free white milk varieties in the new Pure Protect bottle are available at major retailers located across eastern Pennsylvania, southern New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland. Dean Foods is ranks No. 1 on the Dairy 100, Dairy Foods annual ranking of North America's largest dairy processors.