Parents Need to Know, IPB University Nutrition Expert Says Sweetened Condensed Milk Is Not for Daily Consumption

Many families in Indonesia still consume sweetened condensed milk (SKM) as their daily milk beverage, especially at breakfast. However, this product is not actually intended to be consumed as a substitute for milk because its sugar content is much higher than that of fresh milk or ultra high temperature (UHT) milk.

Dr dr Karina Rahmadia Ekawidyani, a lecturer at the Faculty of Medicine and Nutrition at IPB University, explained that SKM is a processed milk product made by reducing the water content and adding a large amount of sugar, approximately 40–50 percent. Consequently, consuming SKM daily can pose health risks.

“Since the milk composition is significantly lower, the protein and fat content are also insufficient for daily consumption, therefore, if used as the primary drinking milk, there are health risks,” she said during the IPB Pedia program on the IPB TV YouTube channel.

High Sugar Content
According to Dr Karina, compared to fresh milk and UHT milk, the nutritional content of SKM is relatively lower. Although it still contains fat and protein, the amounts are insufficient to meet daily nutritional needs, so the assumption that this product is equivalent to drinking milk is inaccurate.

She explained that nearly half of SKM’s content is sugar. In a single serving of about 30 grams equivalent to three tablespoons, there are approximately 15 grams of sugar. Meanwhile, the recommended daily sugar intake limit in balanced nutrition guidelines is 50 grams.

“This means that if someone consumes about nine tablespoons of SKM in a day, that amount has already reached the daily sugar intake limit,” she explained.

Dr Karina also reminded the public to always pay attention to the serving size on the packaging and use a measuring spoon to keep sugar intake under control. “Don’t just pour it straight from the can. By measuring it, we can determine the appropriate amount,” she added.

A Better Food Companion
She emphasized that the primary function of sweetened condensed milk is as a sweetener or flavor enhancer for food and beverages, not as a substitute for daily milk consumption, especially for children.

During the fasting month, sweet drinks are often chosen for breaking the fast. However, Dr Karina reminded people to limit their use of SKM. “If you’re already using SKM that’s high in sugar, it’s best not to add granulated sugar or syrup to keep your sugar intake balanced,” she said. (Fj) (IAAS/WSG).