American-bought milk has an approximate shelf life of three weeks, a luxury not afforded consumers in other parts of the world, according to an NPR article. But research is underway to provide more sustainable networks to preserve dairy perishables in developing countries.
William Kisaalita, a professor in the College of Engineering, is working to create a “cold chain” system of trucks and storage units to keep milk cold from the supply chain to the consumer in Uganda.
“Many people (in Uganda) don’t have the means to cool milk,” said Kisaalita, who was born there. “Farmers (who produce milk) make $5 a day. That’s not enough to invest in a fridge, and if they did have one, there’s no electricity. The cost there is so high for electricity.”