Bob asked if plastic containers designed for use with milk contain an
ingredient to retard spoilage.  Presumably, this would be a bactericide.

I spend quite a few years in the milk/juice packaging industry.  This is a
huge industry involving high speed very sophisticated equipment packaging
everything from one ounce creamers to two gallon jugs of juice.  The lines
move so fast that one literally cannot see individual creamers being filled
and sealed, and they do this in almost sterile conditions!

There are several different kinds of plastic used for milk.  The least
expensive is PET (I forget the full name), and PET (in the presence of
light) will definitely affect the taste of the milk.  The most expensive is
polypropylene, and that is used for returnable containers as well as on the
inside of milk cartons.  Polypropylene will not affect taste.  Other types
of plastic are used as well, and all will affect taste somewhat, but not as
bad as PET.

However, none of the plastics contain anything to kill bacteria.  I am quite
certain that this would not be permitted by the FDA.  Bacteria is killed in
processing plants by either pasteurization or ultra violet lights.  Neither
kills 100%, but properly maintained both will kill more than 99.5%, and
plants often shoot for 99.9%.

Lloyd
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Lloyd Spear Owner, Ross Rounds, Inc.  The finest in comb honey production.
Visit our web site at http://www.rossrounds.com.