Packaged ambient dairy beverage

A packaged product comprising an aseptic dairy beverage in a closed container, wherein the beverage does not contain soy protein and comprises:

• from 2 to 4 wt % of milk proteins, up to 4 wt % of milk fat, from 0.5 to 5 wt % of added sugar, from 0.35 to 0.65 wt % of cellulose, from 0.05 to 0.18 wt % of gellan gum, and the remainder to 100 wt % of water;
• the beverage has an apparent viscosity of 30 to 80 mPa·s at 4° C.;
• the headspace represents from 18 to 35 vol. % of the volume of the container;
• and the beverage has a shelf life of at least 6 months at 20° C.