· nutrition · 7 min read
Fairlife Milk: Better than "Regular" Milk? Our Honest Review
What is Fairlife Milk? What is Fairlife Milk made of? Is it better than "regular" milk? We give our honest review and why we think its pros far outweight its cons.
If you’ve been on Fitness twitter the last few weeks, it goes without saying you’ve seen the uproar over Fairlik Milk. I’m not sure if this was the original tweet that set the world on fire but it was one of them.
If you’re not on Twitter, well then buckle up!
What is Fairlife milk?
Fairlife milk is a brand of milk produced by Fairlife, LLC, a subsidiary of… wait for it, The Coca-Cola Company. Big Corp USA! Run for the hills!
What sets Fairlife milk apart from “regular” milk is its unique ultra-filtered milk processing method (more on that later), which has several “benefits”… “benefits” is in quotes because for those very reasons some people think it’s zogslop. Oh, right, I forgot not all of you are on Twitter… what does Zogslop mean? Ah, forget it… we’ll have to do another post later on Twitter vocabulary.
So, “benefits”, what are they?
Higher Protein Content: Fairlife milk typically contains more protein than regular milk.
Here’s the nutrition facts on Fairlife’s Fat Free Skim Milk:
Compared to regular fat free skim milk:
As you can see: half the carbs, half the sugar, double the calcium, and 4 extra grams of our beloved protein.
This is what makes it so popular.
Lactose-Free Options: Fairlife offers lactose-free milk for individuals who are lactose intolerant or have difficulty digesting lactose.
Extended Shelf Life: Due to the ultra-filtration process, Fairlife milk often has a longer shelf life than traditional milk.
Filtered to Remove Impurities: The ultra-filtration process that Fairmilk milk goes through also filters out impurities and bacteria, resulting in a “purer” product.
The variety you expect: Fairlife milk offers various milk products, including whole milk, 2% reduced-fat milk, fat-free milk, and flavored milk. They also produce dairy-based protein shakes and coffee creamers.
More expensive: It’s important to note that while Fairlife milk offers certain advantages, you better be ready to break out your wallet because better almost never means chaper! It costs about 2x that of regular milk, with a 1/2 gallon going for around ~$5.
Fairlife protein? 42g? Can your body even absorb all that, bro?
Fairlife Milk also offers “dairy-based protein shakes” as we mentioned above. Currently, they offer 3 options:
Fairlife Milk Core Power 26g
These usually go for around $40 for a pack of 12 on Amazon and come in 3 flavors:
- Chocolate
- Strawberry
- Fairlife vanilla milk
Fairlife Milk Core Power 42g
These usually go for around $40, as well, for a pack of 12 on Amazon and come in 3 flavors:
- Chocolate
- Strawberry
- Vanilla
Fairlife Nutrition Plan 30g
These usually go for around $50 for a pack of 18 on Amazon and only comes in 1 flavor (last we checked):
- Chocolate
Who owns fairlife milk?
Fairlife milk is owned by Fairlife, LLC, which, as we mentioned, is a subsidiary of big bad The Coca-Cola Company. But it wasn’t always that way. It was started/founded by Mike and Sue McCloskey.
Mike McCloskey: is a dairy scientist and veterinarian. He has a Ph.D. in Dairy Science and is known for his expertise in dairy farming and animal health. Mike played a crucial role in developing Fairlife’s innovative dairy processing methods, which involve ultra-filtration to create high-protein, low-sugar dairy products. His scientific knowledge and experience in the dairy industry were instrumental in the company’s success.
Sue McCloskey: She has a background in marketing and business development.Sue has been involved in the marketing and branding aspects of the company.
Why does fairlife milk last so long?
Tell me you’ve never been to another country without telling me…
Within 5 minutes of being in any supermarket that’s not in the US of A, you’ll see a bunch of bagged and/or unrefrigerated milk on the shelves that looks just liket his. Many Americans have never seen bagged/pasteureized Milk and get spooked out by anything that doesn’t expire within ~2 weeks.
Ok, yeah, but why does it last so long?
Ultra-Filtration: Fairlife uses an ultra-filtration process that involves passing the milk through specialized filters. This process removes impurities, bacteria, and some of the microorganisms that can cause milk to spoil. By eliminating these contaminants, Fairlife milk can last longer without spoiling.
Temperature Control: The ultra-filtration process is typically carried out at a lower temperature than traditional pasteurization. This helps in retaining the freshness and quality of the milk while eliminating harmful microorganisms that can lead to spoilage.
Aseptic Packaging: Fairlife milk is often packaged in aseptic, air-tight containers that prevent exposure to air and contaminants. This packaging helps maintain the milk’s freshness and nutritional value, extending its shelf life.
Lactose-Free: Fairlife offers lactose-free milk options, which are more stable and have a longer shelf life compared to regular milk that contains lactose. Lactose can contribute to milk spoilage over time.
Controlled Environment: The entire production process of Fairlife milk is carefully controlled to ensure quality and safety. From the initial sourcing of milk to the final packaging, each step is designed to prolong the milk’s shelf life.
It’s important to note that while Fairlife milk has a longer shelf life, it does not contain added preservatives or artificial growth hormones. The extended shelf life is primarily achieved through advanced processing techniques and packaging methods. This makes Fairlife milk a convenient option for consumers who want the nutritional benefits of milk with the flexibility of a longer storage period.
What is fairlife milk made of?
Fairlife milk is made from real cow’s milk, yes, the same milk that your “regular” milk comes from, except that it goes through a unique filtration and processing method to enhance its nutritional profile and taste. The key components of Fairlife milk include:
Milk: Go figure! Fairlife starts with regular cow’s milk as its primary ingredient. The milk is sourced from dairy farms and then subjected to a specialized filtration process.
Ultra-Filtration: The hallmark of Fairlife’s production is the ultra-filtration process. During this process, the milk is passed through specialized filters that separate it into its fundamental components, including water, lactose (milk sugar), minerals, and proteins.
Selective Retention: After ultra-filtration, Fairlife retains and concentrates the proteins and removes a significant portion of the lactose, water, and minerals. This concentration of proteins is what gives Fairlife milk its higher protein content compared to regular milk.
Lactase Enzyme: For lactose-free varieties of Fairlife milk, the lactase enzyme is added to break down any remaining lactose, making it suitable for individuals with lactose intolerance.
Fortification: To further enhance its nutritional value, Fairlife may add vitamins and minerals like calcium and vitamin D. This fortification ensures that the milk provides essential nutrients.
Packaging: Fairlife milk is typically packaged in aseptic, air-tight containers, which help maintain its freshness and extend its shelf life.
It’s important to note that Fairlife’s filtration process allows them to create milk with reduced sugar, higher protein content, and a smoother texture. This makes Fairlife milk a unique and nutritious choice for weightlifters, runners, fitness enthusiasts in general, kids, etc. basically anyone with a pulse that doesn’t feel they get enough protein!
Conclusion
Fairlife milk is more than just your regular dairy product. Its innovative ultra-filtration process has many advantages: higher protein content, lactose-free options, extended shelf life, and a “purer” product.
Fairlife Milk offers a wide range of milk products: whole milk, 2% reduced-fat milk, fat-free milk, and flavored varieties, catering to various preferences.
A lot of people seem to get “spooked” when it comes to Fairlife Milk’s extended shelf life which is due to their advanced processing techniques and temperature control rather than artificial additives. Any trip to another country and you’ll see unrefrigerated bagged milk out on the shelf with similar shelf lives!
While it does come at a higher price point than regular milk, we find that the higher nutrient density makes it well worth the price. a
So, if you’re looking to incorporate high-protein dairy into your diet, Fairlife’s protein shakes, such as Core Power 26g, Core Power 42g, and the Fairlife Nutrition Plan 30g, are all excellent options that we 100% recommend. Adding 1 or 2 of them to your daily diet will make it almost impossible to NOT hit your protein goals! Drink up, bro.
