Why doesn't condensed milk need refrigeration?

Question

Why doesn't condensed milk need refrigeration?

Answer 1

It is canned.

Canning does two things, it kills any microbes (bacteria, etc) that are present in the milk, and it seals the product.

So it's sterile and nothing can get in until you open it.  But once it's open, you need to keep it cooler than 40 degrees F.

Almost any food can be preserved by canning and will not need refrigeration.

Answer 2

the canning process of high temperature and sometimes ionizing radiation, kills all bacteria inside the sealed can, making its contents absolutely sterile, it is only when the can is opened and the contents exposed to the environment that it needs to be refrigerated. this is true for most canned and vaccum packed food

Answer 3

It's "canned".  After opening, it does need refrigeration.