Condensed milk

I know from my experience, gained about a decade back, condensed milk used to be made in Bangladesh by using milk powder, raw sugar, palm oil and a small quantity of food-grade chemical additives to act as preservative and stabiliser for the product. Apart from milk powder, sugar was the next most important raw material used.
All this was mixed with water and boiled down to the final stage; then cooled and packed in sealed tin cans. The local raw sugar was used and its quality was certified by the Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI). As far as I know, condensed milk is filled and packed in round tin cans. I am unaware of any 'jars' being used for filling and packing condensed milk. Even now I buy condensed milk; but I have not seen any 'jar' of condensed milk at any shop selling it.
An important information for the consumers is that a licence for production of condensed milk was cancelled by BSTI in 2003. I can recall the issue that came up related to the constituents being used in a particular brand of condensed milk. BSTI later withdrew the order when the Australian producers of the condensed milk began to oversee the plant concerned and trained all its personnel. They began to regularly testing and approving the product. They confirmed to BSTI that the ingredients and process used were the ones recommended by them --- and were also used by them and approved by their country's official quality standard's body; and the products were used locally in Australia, and also exported overseas.
As far as I know, all condensed milk products are sweetened, as sugar is the essential preservative that ensures the shelf-life of a condensed milk. I have not come across any 'unsweetened condensed milk' anywhere. BSTI may ask the manufacturers that they should write on the container the composition of the condensed milk, the ingredients used and how to store it (usually in refrigerators).
Engr. S. A. Mansoor
sam@dhakacom.com