SWEETENED CONDENSED MII<K DEFECTS 



237 



Buttons in Sweetened Condensed Milk. Buttons, as known 

 to the condensed milk manufacturer, represent a type of lumps, 

 different from those previously described. Buttons are lumps 

 of curd of a firm and cheesy consistency. They usually float on 

 top of the condensed milk in the can or barrel. They are suffi- 

 ciently firm units so they can be readily removed and washed 

 free from the condensed milk. They are of varying sizes, 

 depending on the age of the condensed milk and the temperature 

 at which it was stored. The older the milk and the higher the 



rig-, si. 

 Typical buttons of different sizes All signs of mold nave disappeared 



Courtesy of L. A. Rogers, U. S. Dairy Division 



storage temperature, the larger the buttons. Most of the but- 

 tons are about one half inch in diameter but frequently they 

 are of sufficient size to cover the entire surface of milk in the can. 



These buttons have a whitish-brown to yellowish or reddish- 

 brown appearance. They appear in old sweetened condensed 

 milk more frequently than in milk that has been in storage for a 

 short time only. They are entirely absent in freshly made con- 



