Is Fairlife Artificially Sweetened?: A Detailed Nutrition Diet Breakdown

November 4, 2025 •

4 min read

Fairlife employs a unique ultra-filtration process that removes much of the milk's natural sugar (lactose) while concentrating protein. This leads many consumers to wonder, is Fairlife artificially sweetened? The answer depends on the specific product, as many flavored varieties and protein shakes contain zero-calorie sweeteners like sucralose and acesulfame potassium.

Quick Summary

Some flavored Fairlife products and protein shakes contain artificial sweeteners like sucralose and acesulfame potassium, while the plain ultra-filtered milk does not. The brand's low-sugar options use a combination of these and natural sweeteners to compensate for the lower lactose content after filtration.

Key Points

Specific products are artificially sweetened: Not all Fairlife products contain artificial sweeteners; it's specific flavored milks and protein shakes, like the chocolate milk and Nutrition Plan shakes, that do.
Plain ultra-filtered milk is not artificially sweetened: Unflavored Fairlife milk relies solely on its naturally occurring (but reduced) milk sugars for sweetness.
Sucralose and Acesulfame Potassium are common additions: The ingredients list for flavored Fairlife products often includes these specific zero-calorie artificial sweeteners.
Natural sweeteners are also used: In some low-sugar options like the Nutrition Plan shakes, Fairlife incorporates stevia leaf extract and monk fruit juice concentrate alongside artificial sweeteners.
Ultra-filtration reduces natural sugar: Fairlife's process inherently lowers the natural lactose content, requiring added sweeteners for flavor in sweetened varieties.
Check the label for clarity: Consumers concerned about sweeteners should always review the ingredient list for the specific product to confirm its contents.

Fairlife has carved out a niche in the dairy market with its ultra-filtered milk, which boasts higher protein and less sugar than traditional milk. This processing technique leads to a common question from health-conscious consumers and those monitoring their sugar intake: are the sweet-tasting products the result of artificial additives? This detailed breakdown will clarify the sweetener content across Fairlife's product line and discuss the nutritional implications.

Understanding the Fairlife Ultra-Filtration Process

The foundation of Fairlife's products is its proprietary ultra-filtration process. This technology involves passing milk through specialized filters, separating it into its core components—water, vitamins, lactose, protein, and minerals. The process concentrates the natural milk proteins (whey and casein) and calcium while removing a significant portion of the natural milk sugar, lactose. For this reason, all Fairlife milk products are lactose-free. This results in milk that is richer and creamier with a naturally sweet taste profile.

Sweeteners in Flavored Fairlife Milks

While plain ultra-filtered milk contains no added sweeteners, the flavored versions are a different story. For example, the chocolate ultra-filtered milk lists sugar, sucralose, and acesulfame potassium in its ingredients. These zero-calorie sweeteners are added to provide a satisfying sweet flavor without the added carbohydrates and calories that would typically come with a chocolate milk product containing more sugar. It is this combination of filtered lactose and added sweeteners that creates the product's distinctive taste while keeping the sugar count low relative to standard chocolate milk.

Fairlife Nutrition Plan Shakes and Core Power

Fairlife also offers a popular line of protein shakes, including the Nutrition Plan and Core Power products. These shakes, formulated for high protein and low sugar, often rely on a blend of sweeteners to achieve their flavor profiles.

Fairlife Nutrition Plan Shakes: The Nutrition Plan shakes, available in flavors like chocolate and vanilla, contain a mix of sucralose, stevia leaf extract, and monk fruit juice concentrate. This combination of natural and artificial sweeteners keeps the calorie and sugar count very low, with some flavors containing only 2 grams of sugar per serving.
Core Power Protein Shakes: For example, some chocolate Core Power protein shakes also contain acesulfame potassium and sucralose.

Is Fairlife Artificially Sweetened?: Comparison Table

To make an informed decision, it's helpful to see a side-by-side comparison of different Fairlife product types.


Product Type	Added Sweeteners	Primary Sweeteners	Typical Protein (per serving)	Typical Sugar (per serving)
Plain Ultra-Filtered Milk	No	Naturally occurring milk sugars (lactose is filtered out but glucose/galactose remains)	High (e.g., 14g in 2% milk)	Low (e.g., 6g in 2% milk)
Chocolate Ultra-Filtered Milk	Yes	Sugar, Sucralose, Acesulfame Potassium	High (e.g., 14g)	Moderate (e.g., 12g)
Nutrition Plan Shakes	Yes	Sucralose, Stevia Leaf Extract, Monk Fruit	Very High (e.g., 30g)	Very Low (e.g., 2g)
Core Power Shakes	Yes	Sucralose, Acesulfame Potassium (depending on product/flavor)	High (e.g., 26g-42g)	Very Low

The Role and Debate Around Artificial Sweeteners

Fairlife's use of artificial and alternative sweeteners is a key part of its strategy to offer high-protein, low-sugar dairy products. These sweeteners provide the desired taste without the calories or blood sugar impact of traditional sugar. However, their use is not without debate in the nutrition community. Some studies suggest potential negative impacts on gut bacteria and appetite regulation, though more research is needed.

Choosing the Right Fairlife Product

For those avoiding all non-natural sweeteners: Opt for the plain ultra-filtered milk. It is only sweetened by the milk's naturally occurring sugars, and the filtration process already reduces the overall sugar content.
For those focusing on high protein and low calories: The flavored milks and protein shakes can be a good option. Read the label to understand the specific sweeteners used and decide if they align with your dietary preferences.
For those with lactose intolerance: All Fairlife products are lactose-free, making them suitable for this dietary need regardless of the sweetener choice.

In conclusion, the decision to consume Fairlife products with added sweeteners is a personal one, based on your dietary goals and comfort with artificial and alternative sweeteners. The brand offers options ranging from completely unsweetened (plain milk) to products relying on a combination of sweeteners for flavor.

Conclusion

In summary, the question, "is Fairlife artificially sweetened?" has a nuanced answer: some flavored Fairlife products and protein shakes are artificially sweetened to offer a low-sugar, low-calorie profile, while the plain ultra-filtered milk is not. Fairlife's ultra-filtration process naturally reduces sugar and boosts protein across its entire range, but it's the added sweeteners in specific products that provide their particular taste. Consumers should always check the ingredient list to determine the sweetener source and choose the product that best fits their nutritional needs and preferences. For those seeking to avoid artificial options, sticking to the unflavored varieties is the safest bet.

Authoritative Link

For more information on the safety of low-calorie sweeteners, you can refer to the FDA's official information.

Ingredient Spotlight: Acesulfame Potassium and Sucralose

Acesulfame Potassium (Ace-K): A non-caloric sweetener approved by the FDA. It is often combined with other sweeteners to produce a taste profile closer to sugar.
Sucralose: Another non-caloric artificial sweetener derived from sugar. It is several hundred times sweeter than sucrose and is a common ingredient in many low-sugar products.
Stevia Leaf Extract: A natural, zero-calorie sweetener derived from the stevia plant. It is used in some Fairlife products alongside artificial sweeteners.
Monk Fruit Juice Concentrate: Another natural, zero-calorie sweetener used in certain Fairlife Nutrition Plan shakes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Flavored Fairlife products, including the chocolate ultra-filtered milk and Nutrition Plan protein shakes, contain artificial sweeteners such as sucralose and acesulfame potassium.

No, the plain ultra-filtered milk does not contain artificial sweeteners. Its sweetness comes from the milk's natural sugars, and the filtration process reduces its sugar content compared to regular milk.

Fairlife uses a combination of sweeteners, both natural and artificial, in its low-sugar products to replace the sweetness lost when lactose is removed during ultra-filtration. This provides a balanced, sweet flavor profile while keeping the sugar count low.

Not all Fairlife products are sugar-free. While the Nutrition Plan shakes are very low in sugar, only containing 2g, the plain milks still have some naturally occurring sugars. It's important to check the nutrition facts for the specific product.

The sweeteners used in Fairlife, such as sucralose and acesulfame potassium, are approved for use in food by regulatory bodies like the FDA. However, ongoing debate in the health community exists about their long-term effects.

No, the process removes a significant amount of the milk's natural sugar (lactose), but not all of it. This is why even the plain milk has a low, but not zero, sugar content.

Yes, all Fairlife products are lactose-free due to the ultra-filtration process and the addition of a lactase enzyme, making them suitable for people with lactose intolerance.

Yes, Fairlife chocolate milk lists both sucralose and acesulfame potassium as ingredients in addition to sugar, to enhance the sweet flavor while keeping the sugar content lower than traditional chocolate milk.