@RangKayo9
There are actually no preservatives in thermal-processed milk.
There actually are. Lactic acid, for example. They occur naturally though.
spoilage-causing bacteria have been killed or inactive by the heat treatment
Not true. Some, like Clostridium Botulinum can even survive boiling. These are inactivated by other means. Clostridium, for example, can't grow in acidic environments. Since milk is naturally acidic, they're not usually a problem here. With other preserves, acid is added to control them.
Others, like Anoxybacillus Flavithermus (which turns the milk orange, but is otherwise harmless) can't be neutralized without making the milk unusable. These can only be controlled by good hygiene and regularly sterilizing the entire system.
BTW, if your in the latter part of your studies and haven't learned about botulism yet, you should probably consider changing universities.
Just realized I'm ranting about science on a gagmanga's comments. Well, at least I'm living up to the stereotype, I guess?
t. German process engineer