Ultrafiltered Milk Is Highly Processed But So Is Regular Milk
The additional processing steps have caused some people to call it frankenmilk. They may not have been thinking about the fact that the regular milk that reaches our table is already a processed product.
It must be processed to make it safe and delicious.
Regular milk goes through four steps before it is ready to hit the grocery shelves. The steps are:
- Standardization: Separation of cream
- Pasteurization: High heat treatment to kill microbes
- Homogenization: Blending of the milk to ensure that the fat globules dont separate
- Fortification: Addition of vitamins A and D
Does concentrating/filtering the milk make it a super milk and a better, healthier choice than regular dairy milk?
The answer to that question depends on your tastebuds and nutritional concerns. In terms of flavor, I find that ultrafiltered milk has a creamier taste than regular milk and enjoy using it to lighten coffee or black tea, but others detect the cooked flavor of shelf-stable milk.
Is Ultrafiltered Milk Good For You
05/15/2020
The simple answer is yes but it may not be any better than regular dairy milk if you are a young or middle-aged adult who manages to put away two to three servings of dairy products, like cheese, yogurt and milk, on a daily basis.
Very few people are doing this. Why am I so sure? Its because sales of regular milk have been falling for the past several decades and data from national surveys shows that as a nation, we are coming up short on the vitamins and minerals supplied by good ol milk.
Why Does Fairlife Milk Last So Long
Our filtration process removes most of the lactose naturally found in milk. We pasteurize our milk at an even higher temperature for less time. That gives fairlife® a much longer shelf life unopened. After opening, its shelf life is the same as regular milk and should be consumed within 14 days and kept refrigerated.
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Heres How Fairlife And The Coca
Fairlife is owned by the Coca-Cola Company, and the corporation responded to the undercover footage by stating that Fairlife immediately stopped sourcing milk from Fair Oaks Farms after the footage was released, and that Fairlife planned to launch an animal welfare advisory council of experts.
You can read more about the audits that Fairlife pledged to take on the brands website however, the brand did claim to already have governance measures in place before the investigation, so many customers may find it difficult to trust these new procedures.
ARMs Fairlife investigation proved that there is no way to truly know what is happening behind a farm’s closed doors. The organization put out a few to people who were affected by the heartbreaking footage ARM asked people to sign its petition, to ask stores to stop carrying Fairlife, and to leave dairy products off their plates.
Do You Need To Be Worried About The Sugar In Milk

The 22 teaspoons of added sugar most Americans get per day is well above the recommended intake of limiting added sugars to 6 teaspoons per day . Pure foods that naturally have sugar in them, like fruits, whole grains or dairy, are not considered sources of added sugar.
Does this mean you dont need to worry about this sugar? Most healthy people dont have to as long as they are eating a balanced diet.
If someone has diabetes or pre-diabetes and is using insulin pumps or injections, they need to count the carbohydrates from milk as part of their total carbohydrate intake.
Drinking milk can be part of a healthy diet for diabetics, but make sure you speak with your health care team if you have any questions about using milk as part of your meal plan with insulin.
If someone has lactose intolerance, the lactose sugar in milk can be problematic for the digestive system. This can be fixed by drinking lactose free milk or dairy alternative milks. Flavored milks can have much more sugar than regular milk and can be a source of added sugars.
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Ultrafiltered Milk Brands Are Rich In Protein And Calcium Low In Lactose
This is where ultrafiltered milk can help. You may have noticed it in the dairy aisles of your grocery store and been intrigued by a label that promises reduced sugar and increased protein. Prominent brands are Fairlife from Coca-Cola, Mootopia from H-E-B and the newer Ultra from Organic Valley, which is, of course, organic.
To remove half of the lactose and boost the protein, ultrafiltered milk is passed through a membrane that concentrates it, removing water. So, youre actually getting more milk and more calcium per cup, about 40% of the Daily Value.
The lactase enzyme is added to split the lactose that remains into the sugars glucose and galactose, which helps if you have a problem digesting lactose and increases the sweetness so you dont notice the missing milk sugar.
Dairy Milks Natural Sugar
Dairy milks source of sugar is from the disaccharide lactose. Lactose is one molecule of glucose connected to one molecule of galactose. A cup of milk, whether skim or whole milk, provides about 12 grams of carbohydrate from lactose.
While this sugar from milk can increase blood sugar levels, compared to other beverages milk is relatively low in carbohydrates. Milk also provides protein and fat which can blunt blood sugar absorption. Fruit juices can provide 20-30 grams of sugar, and they dont usually have anything else to slow down the absorption of sugar.
Milk can be considered a nutrient dense food because it provides many nutrients for the calories it provides. Milk provides a complete protein source and provides about 8 grams of protein. Fat content can vary between 0-8 grams of fat per cup.
Milk is high in calcium, fortified with vitamin D and a natural source of vitamin A, B6, B-12 and magnesium.
Keep in mind sweetened milks like chocolate or strawberry milk can have more sugar in them and are also a source of added sugar. Chocolate milk can have around 24 grams of sugar, and half of this is from regular sugar not lactose.
See also: Is dairy good or bad for you?
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Is Fairlife Milk Still Being Sold
Then I searched for news on this and was surprised it was from 2019. Fairlife was launched in 2012 as a partnership between Coca-Cola, which distributes its products, and the Select Milk Producers, a co-op of dairy farms that includes Fair Oaks. Fair Oaks, she said, is no longer in their supply chain.
Controversies And Areas Of Concern
Fairlife does have many advantages. Its also incredibly controversial.
Some of that controversy comes from milk itself. Many people feel we shouldnt be consuming dairy. This is one reason why plant-based milks, like almond milk, have become popular.
Others are skeptical of the product itself. It has more protein, more calcium and less sugar than regular milk. Getting that outcome without heavy processing seems unlikely.
And finally, Fairlife is distributed by Coca-Cola. Thats reason enough to be concerned. Coca-Cola isnt known for healthy products.
So, whats fact and whats fiction?
The Price
Fairlife is expensive. It costs significantly more than regular milk and comes in a fairly small container. Ounce for ounce, youre playing almost twice as much for Fairlife milk.
Thats rough, especially for families who drink a lot of milk.
Then again, Fairlife is marketed as a premium product. You probably wouldnt choose to replace all of your milk with Fairlife.
Where Fairlife Milk Comes From
Coca-Cola might distribute the milk, but they didnt develop it. Fairlife milk was created by Mike and Sue McCloskey. They own Fair Oaks Farms, which has become famous in its own right. The farm is well-known for transparency and allows people to see all the steps in food production, including the way that the animals are treated.
The owners approached Coca-Cola about distribution, as the product wasnt reaching a wide enough audience.
How it is Created
Competition with Regular Milk
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Fairlife Skim Milk Nutrition Facts:
1 serving size of this product comprise 80 calories & 0 calories from fat. Also, it comprises 5 milligrams of cholesterol, 0.3 grams of fat, & 125 milligrams of sodium. Other than that, 400 milligrams of potassium and 6 grams of total carbohydrates are also present in it. Besides, it also has 6 grams of sugar, 0 grams of dietary fiber & 14 grams of protein.
Moreover, it is also a source of 11 percent of Vitamin A, 31 percent of Calcium & 13 percent of Vitamin D. You will also get 31 percent of Riboflavin and 48 percent of Vitamin B12 from it. Furthermore, it also comprises 20 percent phosphorus, 6 percent Magnesium, and 14 percent of Zinc. Not much Vitamin C or iron are present in this product.
Is Ultrafiltered Milk Healthy
Some dietitians say that Americans dont need more protein. But R.D. Michelle Dudash, who wrote the book Clean Eating for Busy Families, said that for diabetics and anyone who is really watching their carbohydrate intake closely, the 6 grams of difference between regular milk and Fairlife can be significant.
Dudash specifically mentioned Fairlife, but what she said holds true for all unflavored ultrafiltered milks. In fact, some analysts see Coca-Colas acquisition of Fairlife as a strategy to help the soda manufacturer shift its product line to the lower sugar offerings consumers are seeking.
This table compares the nutrition in 2% regular dairy milk to 2% ultrafiltered dairy milk. It may vary by a gram or so from the actual branded product. Organic kinds of milk tend to have lower amounts of vitamins A and D due to lower fortification.
Nutrient |
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How Does Fairlife Stack Up To Regular Milk Nutritionally
So whats the big difference between regular milk and fairlife? While I love me regular milk, I have to say, what fairlife offers ounce for ounce is pretty awesome. Especially for people who are seeking out this kind of product.
When you compare a serving of fairlife to 2% Milk, fairlife offers 5g more of protein, almost 100mg more calcium and only 6g of sugar compared to the 12g of standard milk, with the same calorie content.
Fairlife Milk Nutritional Profile

Thankfully, the milk from Fairlife doesnt have the same problems with sugar. Instead, it is has less sugar than regular milk. The table below shows a comparison between Fairlife 2%, 2% milk and almond milk.
Swipe left to view more columns
29% DV |
45% DV |
As the marketing claims, Fairlife does contain less sugar, more protein and more calcium. Other elements remain roughly the same. This makes the nutritional advantage of Fairlife clear.
The lactose-free aspect is another advantage. This makes Fairlife milk perfect for anyone who is lactose intolerant.
However, as many people have pointed out, the sugar in milk is from lactose, none of it is added. Lactose may also have health benefits, so the Fairlife version isnt necessarily better.
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Fair Life Milk Nutrition Facts:
Fairlife, feeling about those who are lactose intolerant and cant drink milk, have brought for them, lactose-free ultra-filtered milk. This milk is not only free from lactose and is very much suitable for lactose-intolerant people. Also, it is available with a low quantity of fat . Not only that, but the milk from Fairlife also contains nine vital nutrients that will make you healthy & strong. Moreover, if you are diet conscious, this milk is very much suitable for you. This is because it has 50 percent less quantity of sugar than other milk available in the market.
Also, if you prioritize having a drink that will help you in building your muscles, this drink is appropriate for it. The thirteen grams of high-quality protein present in this milk will create fresh and strong muscles in your body. Furthermore, the milk contains no artificial growth hormones. So, you can definitely consider this milk for drinking as it is very much safe to drink. Now you may be curious to know that what are the exact Fairlife milk nutrition contents and in what proportion they are present in the milk.
No issue! Here, in this article, we are going to make you aware of everything about fairlife milk including the Fair life milk nutrition facts as well. So, continue to drink it till the end. You also love to read Garlic Powder Nutrition Facts: Health Benefits of Garlic Powder
Is There Any Sugar In Milk And Is It Bad For You
By Holly Klamer, RDResearched Based Article
According to Harvard Health, the average American eats about 22 teaspoons of added sugar per day. Sugar is a common additive in many packaged foods: sweets, breads, frozen entrees, frozen pizzas, soups, sauces and condiments. It is recommended to cut back on added sugars to lower risk of obesity and heart disease.
Even if you cut back on added sugars, there are foods that naturally have sugars. Fruits, vegetables, dairy, grains and legumes are all natural sources of carbohydrates which are broken down to glucose once absorbed from the digestive tract.
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Fairlife Milk: Im Disappointed
April 10, 2015 By: Coupon Maven
I headed to Meijer today to pick up the free Fairlife milk thats on their Mperks ecoupons today two free bottles, one white, one chocolate. A great deal, I thought.
I just saw Fairlife milk featured on one of the national morning shows earlier this week, and the spokesperson was touting its benefits as a premium milk higher protein and lower sugar level. I was in and out of the store quickly, and I didnt really look at the label until I was putting the milk in my fridge at home.
Thats when I noticed the ingredients. Fairlife chocolate milk is touting itself as a healthier milk, but it contains both Acesulfame K and Sucralose. I should have known better I blogged about milk being sweetened with artificial sweeteners back in 2013 when this was first being proposed.
I cannot for the life of me figure out why a brand would believe full of chemicals equals healthier. This milk, while not organic, also touts the fact that it is BGH-free. Doesnt it stand to reason that consumers seeking milk free from artificial growth hormones would also seek milk without artificial sweeteners? This milk also sells for a higher price than a comparable carton of organic milk.
I noticed that the back of the bottle invites consumers to call with a Lets Chat! invite. I just called, and when I explained my disappointment, the Fairlife rep said that the product was developed based on what most consumers want, which is a lower-calorie sweetened milk.
Why Is Fairlife So Creamy
Coca-Colas strange new super milk Fairlife has officially hit shelves across the country. No its not from super cows but instead features 50 percent more natural protein and calcium than regular milk and 30 percent less sugar thanks to a special filtration process. So far, reviews have been mixed.
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Fairlife Milk: A Review
Maybe youve heard of Fairlife ultrafiltered milk. Its got less sugar than regular milk , more protein and calcium , and is lactose free. Exact percentages depend on what milks you are comparing, but you get the idea. For dairy lovers who a concerned about their health, watching calories and sugar intake, or trying to consume extra protein, this product sounds like a miracle or maybe its just too good to be true.
Well, Ive been drinking Fairlife milk for a few weeks now and, numbers and science aside, here is how it compares to typical dairy milk. I usually drink 2% milk, and now I almost always buy organic milk, so lets start there: Fairlife 2% vs organic 2% dairy milk.
When you consider that Fairlife milk has 13g of protein per cup , I dont mind giving up the sweetness, especially in my cereal. Using 1/2 cup of Fairlife 2% in a bowl of cereal every day slowly ads to my protein intake, which is something I am certainly a fan of.
I also tried the Fairlife chocolate milk, and this product is such a treat ! Its sweet, rich, creamy, chocolatey, and has the nutritional profile of something far less sinful. You can actually dilute this with 2% milk by at least half and its still plenty chocolatey and sweet. I use the chocolate milk mixed with my unflavored whey protein isolate to make a protein shake that tastes positively amazing but doesnt overdo it with calories or sugar. I can drink this as a treat or dessert completely guilt free!
Fairlife Milk Nutrition Label:
If you see the Fairlife milk nutrition label on the bottle, you will find the following nutrition facts about the Fairlife Milk:
1 serving size of this product comprise 80 calories & 0 calories from fat. Also, it comprises 5 milligrams of cholesterol, 0 grams of fat, & 120 milligrams of sodium. Other than that, 400 milligrams of potassium and 6 grams of total carbohydrates are also present in it. Besides, it also has 6 grams of sugar, 0 grams of dietary fiber & 13 grams of protein.
Moreover, it is also a source of 20 percent of Vitamin A, 40 percent of Calcium & 25 percent of Vitamin D. You will also get 20 percent of Riboflavin and 20 percent of Vitamin B12 from it. Furthermore, it also comprises 25 percent phosphorus, 6 percent Magnesium, and 10 percent of Zinc. Not much Vitamin C or iron are present in this product.
Fairlife Milk Nutrition Label
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