Fresh Milk Products

Whole milk is fresh milk as it comes from the cow, with nothing removed and nothing (except vitamin D) added. It contains about 3.5 percent fat (known as milk fat or butterfat), 8.5 percent nonfat milk solids, and 88 percent water.

Skim or nonfat milk has had most or all of the fat removed. Its fat content is 0.5 percent or less.

Low-fat milk has a fat content of 0.5 to 2 percent. Its fat content is usually indicated, usually 1 percent or 2 percent.

Fortified nonfat or low-fat milk has had substances added to increase its nutritional value, usually vitamins A and D and extra nonfat milk solids.