WHOLE MILK - The difference in fat content between whole, 2 percent, 1 percent and fat-free milk may not be what you assume. When you're at the grocery store, do you quickly grab a gallon of whole milk — or do you take a moment to peruse the options? From whole milk to 2 percent, to 1 percent to skim, dairy consumers can practically customize their daily intake before they ever pour a glass of that creamy cow juice. The term "whole milk" actually refers to milk in its most unadulterated form — and in addition to the fat found in milk, the main component (about 87 percent) is water. You'll also find vitamins, minerals, sugars like lactose and proteins like caseins and whey proteins. Although it has been processed and homogenized, whole milk is still close to what the cow produced. But let's get back to that milk fat. The percentage listed on a milk carton label actually represents how much fat the milk contains by weight. For instance, milk labeled "2 percent" is 2 percent milk fat by weight — not 2 percent the amount of fat found in whole milk. If we're talking percentages, whole milk is not 100 percent fat — cow milk contains 3.25 to 3.5 percent milk fat, which equals about 8 grams of fat per 8 ounces (237 milliliters) of milk. In fact, the FDA mandates that the milk fat percentage by weight in whole milk should not fall below 3.25 percent, far below the 100-percent milk fat the name "whole milk" may imply. Two percent milk, 1 percent milk and skim milk have been stripped of milk fats to varying degrees — but to understand how those milks relate to whole milk, you've got to remember that whole milk could be called "3.5 percent milk" or "3.25 percent milk."

The difference in fat content between whole, 2 percent, 1 percent and fat-free milk may not be what you assume.

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A 1960s-era family pours milk to drink with their dessert.

Whole Milk

What 'Percentage' Is Whole Milk?

BY LAURIE L. DOVE

When you're at the grocery store, do you quickly grab a gallon of whole milk — or do you take a moment to peruse the options?

From whole milk to 2 percent, to 1 percent to skim, dairy consumers can practically customize their daily intake before they ever pour a glass of that creamy cow juice.

But how much fat is in a cold, frothy glass of whole milk?

The term "whole milk" actually refers to milk in its most unadulterated form — and in addition to the fat found in milk, the main component (about 87 percent) is water.

You'll also find vitamins, minerals, sugars like lactose and proteins like caseins and whey proteins.

Although it has been processed and homogenized, whole milk is still close to what the cow produced.

But let's get back to that milk fat. The percentage listed on a milk carton label actually represents how much fat the milk contains by weight.

For instance, milk labeled "2 percent" is 2 percent milk fat by weight — not 2 percent the amount of fat found in whole milk.

If we're talking percentages, whole milk is not 100 percent fat — cow milk contains 3.25 to 3.5 percent milk fat, which equals about 8 grams of fat per 8 ounces (237 milliliters) of milk.

In fact, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) mandates that the milk fat percentage by weight in whole milk should not fall below 3.25 percent, far below the 100-percent milk fat the name "whole milk" may imply.

Two percent milk, 1 percent milk and skim milk have been stripped of milk fats to varying degrees — but to understand how those milks relate to whole milk, you've got to remember that whole milk could be called "3.5 percent milk" or "3.25 percent milk."

So, 2 percent milk has about 60 percent the amount of fat as whole milk, while 1 percent has about 30 percent the amount.

The monikers for milk variations may have evolved since the days when it was delivered by hand, but that doesn't mean the labels are any less confusing.

Voluntary nutritional labeling on milk cartons didn't appear until 1974, when the FDA advised all foods should include nutritional information.

In 1990, Congress implemented the Nutritional Labeling and Education Act, which required all packaged foods to have nutrition labeling and created a standard for terms like "low fat" and "light."

In 2006, nutrition labels were updated to include trans-fat content.

By July 26, 2018, an FDA mandate means milk containers will include updated nutritional labels.

The new labels will show calories and serving sizes more prominently, and will continue to detail total fat, saturated fat and trans-fat on the label.

Here's hoping a simple glass of milk will have an equally simple label to match. Cheers!

NOW THAT'S INTERESTING

In 1922, the United States Congress passed the Capper-Volstead Act, which meant that agricultural producers, including dairy farmers, could form an association — exempt from monopoly laws — to collectively process, prepare and market their products.

Without it, the highly popular "Got Milk?" campaign of the 1990s would never have existed.

Laurie L. Dove is an award-winning journalist who covers timely topics for HowStuffWorks. She is the author of six books and the former owner of a newspaper and magazine. When not reporting on the latest tech breakthrough, health advance or economic development, Dove is tracking down hidden history, science innovations and biologic discoveries. As the Honorable Laurie Dove, Mayor, she has brought multi-million-dollar improvements to the small Midwest town where she lives with her husband, five children and two Akitas.

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