Tag: Milk classification

The United States dairy industry operates under a highly structured system where milk is categorized into different classes based on its end use. This classification significantly influences how milk is priced, with the Federal Milk Marketing Order (FMMO) system defining Class 3 milk as that used for hard cheeses and dry whey, among other items. This system creates a uniform pricing mechanism for farmers within specific regions.

In the United States, all fluid milk sold for human consumption must be Grade A, a standard regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). However, this is only one part of the classification, as the dairy industry also uses a separate pricing system where fluid milk is known as Class I.

At approximately 87% water, whole milk is not a simple liquid, and its precise chemical classification is more complex than it appears. In chemistry, what is whole milk classified as, and what makes its composition so intricate?