# Milk already spoiled - wtf? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 31, 2012, 7:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/milk-already-spoiled-wtf/633235 "2012-08-31T07:57:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![AClockworkMelon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aclockworkmelon/32/10803_2.png) [@AClockworkMelon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AClockworkMelon)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2012, 7:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/milk-already-spoiled-wtf/633235/1 "2012-08-31T07:57:55Z")
I pulled an unopened gallon of milk from the fridge and checked the date on it. Its label says that it should be sold by September 9th of this year. I got myself a glass and opened that fucker up and found that it was full of lumpy milk. My factual GQ question: What the fuck? Edit: It was delicious. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2012, 8:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/milk-already-spoiled-wtf/633235/2 "2012-08-31T08:09:49Z")
Presumably it was not kept chilled at some point in the supply chain. Unless sterilised, milk already contains populations of bacteria capable of turning it into yoghurt or lumpy, stinky hell - it only takes a few hours warmth to provide the conditions for rapid growth. ---
**Author:** ![AClockworkMelon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aclockworkmelon/32/10803_2.png) [@AClockworkMelon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AClockworkMelon)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2012, 8:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/milk-already-spoiled-wtf/633235/3 "2012-08-31T08:12:00Z")
I guess that means there’s a bunch of people in my area with lumpy milk. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2012, 8:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/milk-already-spoiled-wtf/633235/4 "2012-08-31T08:19:12Z")
It probably got left out of the dairy case for awhile. I cringe anytime I see milk or meat left on a grocery isle by inconsiderate shoppers. It may sit there awhile before a stock boy puts it back in the meat or diary case. If your milk is curdled then it must have been at room temp for quite awhile. I’ve brought home bad milk a few times. It’s not fun missing breakfast because the milks bad. ---
**Author:** ![AClockworkMelon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aclockworkmelon/32/10803_2.png) [@AClockworkMelon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AClockworkMelon)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2012, 8:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/milk-already-spoiled-wtf/633235/5 "2012-08-31T08:32:26Z")
First time it’s happened to me. In retrospect the answer was obvious but I was terribly letdown by the whole experience and I wanted answers, damn it! ---
**Author:** ![AaronX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7bcc69/32.png) [@AaronX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AaronX)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2012, 9:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/milk-already-spoiled-wtf/633235/6 "2012-08-31T09:06:21Z")
You should look out for lumpy cows. ---
**Author:** ![August\_West](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/august_west/32/18069_2.png) [@August\_West](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/August_West)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2012, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/milk-already-spoiled-wtf/633235/7 "2012-08-31T13:26:21Z")
Your refrigerator is broken. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2012, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/milk-already-spoiled-wtf/633235/8 "2012-08-31T13:44:03Z")
Another possibility (although less likely) is that the milk is contaminated with something acidic. ---
**Author:** ![njtt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ecd19e/32.png) [@njtt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/njtt)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2012, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/milk-already-spoiled-wtf/633235/9 "2012-08-31T13:44:18Z")
It happens. There is a fair chance you can get a refund or replacement from the shop where you bought it, especially if you still have your receipt.