Provided is a process for producing a concentrated or a concentrated and sterilized milk composition, including subjecting the composition to multi-stage recirculating reverse osmosis, where during recirculating reverse osmosis (RRO), for at least part of the RRO process, a step in the RRO process, or during the entire RRO process, the RRO process is carried out at a temperature of from greater than 45° F. to 60° F., where water is removed, to produce a concentrated milk composition. The concentrated milk composition can optionally be sterilized by first heating the concentrated composition to a first elevated temperature of from 175° F. to 185° F. (and in some cases to 210° F.) within a time period of 45 seconds to produce a first heated composition.
