Process for the preparation of milk powder

A process for the production of a fat-containing milk powder, the process comprising:

• preparing a standardized milk,
• feeding the prepared standardized milk into an evaporator having at least one stage to obtain a pre-concentrate containing fat and non-fat solids at a concentration that is below about 50% by weight,
• homogenizing the pre-concentrate without separating fat therefrom at a total solids content of 20 to 50% by weight in two stages including a first stage at a pressure of from about 50 to about 250 bar and a second stage at a pressure of up to 150 bar,
• further evaporating the pre-concentrate in an evaporator having at least one stage to obtain a concentrate having a total solids content of at least 50% by weight, and then
• spray drying the concentrate using high pressure nozzles to form the powder.