Fluid milk typically contains what percentage of total solids?

Fluid milk typically contains about 13% total solids. This percentage encompasses both milk solids—such as fat, protein, lactose, vitamins, and minerals—and the water content of the milk. In standard whole milk, the fat content is usually around 3.25% to 3.5%, and the rest of the solids contribute to the overall total.

When breaking down the composition of fluid milk, you can see that the non-fat components, including proteins (casein and whey proteins), lactose, and minerals, make up a significant part of the total solids. Understanding that fluid milk contains approximately 13% total solids helps in various applications, including nutrition assessment and quality control in dairy production.