Systems and methods for generating a sterilized human milk product from raw human milk, and sterilized human milk product compositions obtained thereby, are provided. The method includes sterilizing the milk using a countercurrent heating process. The temperature of the milk is raised to a target temperature for a duration of time that is refined to provide a sterilized human milk product with low overall bioburden while also maintaining nutritional quality. As such, the sterilized milk product is suitable for ingestion by premature infants.
