Dean Foods’ Morningstar Foods division received aseptic approval from the FDA for beverages produced on the company’s Stork filler line in Mt. Crawford, Va. The Stork bottle filling technology extends the shelf life of dairy-based beverages processed on this line to 180 days and allows these products to be stored and shipped at ambient temperatures.

Morningstar will use the Stork technology for its single-serve Hershey’s flavored milk and shake products and Folgers Jakada coffee beverages. The company also anticipates installing another similar line in its City of Industry, Calif. facility later this year.

The Stork aseptic technology includes pasteurization, homogenization, bottle blow-molding and filling procedures conducted in a completely sterile environment that earns the aseptic designation without the need for additives or preservatives. Dean Foods is the first company to use the Stork plastic bottle technology commercially for dairy-based beverages in the United States.