Does the indent serve any other purpose?
There are other benefits to this milk packaging quirk. It may even (indirectly) help your health. Here’s the full story:
It helps keep germs from sneaking in
That humble dent guards against food poisoning as the milk goes from dairy producer to refrigerator. “Maintaining the container’s integrity prevents breakages or leaks that could occur in the shipping process, both of which may compromise a product’s freshness,” Herrick says. Still, if the dent pops out, it’s not a sign the milk is skunky—it just means the jug got banged around during the trek from farm to fridge (sorry, Reddit scientists!).
It makes milk jugs easier to handle
You could say that the dimple improves milk’s UX (aka user experience). Since it helps prevent sagging or ballooning if the jug gets dented, it makes for a “sturdy container that is easier to grip and pour,” Herrick explains. And by ensuring the milk container stays intact, the dimple prevents spillage—sparing you the mess and food safety concern of old milk stuck to the sides.
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