From Farm to Fridge: Enjoy Maryland Milk!

Maryland’s Best is here to break down why milk can be a healthy part of your diet and where to find it! 

*This should not be taken as medical or legal advice.

What nutrition benefits does milk have? The following information has been summarized from Undeniably Dairy, a part of the National Dairy Council which is a highly-credible science-based nutrition information resource to schools, health professionals, media and other thought leaders. To learn more, visit their website: https://www.usdairy.com/

In addition to calcium and vitamin D, milk contains:

• Protein
• B vitamins that contribute to healthy metabolism and energy
• Immune-supporting zinc
• Selenium
• Vitamins A and D

Nutritional Facts for Milk

Milk Nutrition Facts (Per 1 Cup, 240 ml):

• Calories: 150 (whole milk)
• Total Fat:8 grams
  • Saturated Fat: 5 grams
  • Monounsaturated Fat: 2 grams
  • Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3 grams
• Sodium: 95 milligrams
• Carbohydrates:12 grams
  • Sugars: 12 grams (lactose)
• Protein: 8 grams
• Calcium: 25% of the Daily Value (DV)
• Vitamin D: 15% of the DV
• Vitamin B12: 50% of the DV
• Potassium: 10% of the DV
• Phosphorus: 20% of the DV
• Riboflavin (Vitamin B2): 30% of the DV
• Iodine: 60% of the DV

What are the differences between the types of milk available like low-fat vs whole vs evaporated?

• Whole Milk: Contains 3.25% milkfat which is the full amount. This is best for people looking to retain calories and who enjoy a creamy mouthfeel. 
• Low-Fat and Skim Milk: These still have the nutritional benefits of milk but with lower fat content which is ideal for people looking to reduce calories and fat. 
• Evaporated and Condensed Milk: These types of milk are more concentrated and are thick and creamy and usually used for cooking or baking. 
• Flavored Milk (e.g., Chocolate Milk): All the same nutritional benefits but includes added sugars and flavors. Great for kids or post-workout due to its carbohydrate and protein ratio.

How do I know Maryland milk is safe to drink?

The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) Center for Milk and Dairy Product Safety (CMDPS) administers and enforces dairy laws and regulations designed to protect the general public health and be of service to the dairy industry. All dairy facilities must be approved and permitted by DHMH before sale of any milk product can be made.

A milk plant is any place, premises or establishment where milk or milk products are collected, handled, processed, stored, pasteurized, aseptically processed, packaged, or prepared for distribution. The establishment of a dairy processing facility of any size and location is a very involved undertaking. It is imperative that consultation with DHMH, Center for Milk and Dairy Product Safety (CMDPS) is necessary before any definite plans for dairy processing are made. For more information, read here. 

Note: Maryland law prohibits the sale of raw milk for human consumption. This is due to the potential health risks associated with unpasteurized milk, such as Salmonella, E. coli, and Campylobacter. Raw milk can be sold as pet food for animal consumption only.

Find the law here.

Where can I find Maryland milk?

First, you can find Maryland milk at your favorite retailer! Much of the milk produced on nearly 300 dairy farms in the State remains right here in the Free State. Our dairy farms produce more than 100 million gallons of milk annually! If you would like to connect directly to a farm that sells direct to the consumer, check out the list of farms below (verified by the Maryland Department of Health):