Method for producing milk or milk related products

Method for producing milk, said method comprising the following steps:

• (a) providing raw milk;
• (b) subjecting the raw milk to treatment on a bactofuge and thereby physically separating microorganisms from the raw milk;
• (c) separating the raw milk of step (b) into a cream fraction and a skimmed milk fraction;
• (d) subjecting the skimmed milk fraction to microfiltration adapted to remove microorganisms and thereby obtain a partly sterilized skimmed milk fraction;
• (e) optionally, subjecting the partly sterilized skimmed milk fraction to membrane filtration adapted to standardize said partly sterilized skimmed milk fraction;
• (f) transporting the product of step (d) or (e) to a balance tank for processed milk, wherein said balance tank for processed milk is adapted to balance or equalize any pressure or flow changes that may arise during the preceding processing steps;
• and
• (g) subjecting the product obtained by the preceding steps to pasteurization in order to obtain pasteurized milk;
• wherein
• a microfiltration retentate of step (d) is mixed with the raw milk;
• or a bactofugate of step (b) is mixed with the skimmed milk fraction of step (c);
• step (g) involves subjecting the product to a temperature in the range 65° C. to 80° C.;
• and
• the method does not include a step prior to step (g) involving temperature treatment of the product at temperatures ≧65° C.