What are the ingredients in Arla protein milk?

January 4, 2026 •

4 min read

According to Arla, its Protein semi-skimmed milk contains 53% more protein than regular semi-skimmed milk. This increased protein content is achieved by adding extra milk protein to the base dairy. So, what are the ingredients in Arla protein milk and how do they create this enhanced nutritional profile?

Quick Summary

The core ingredients in Arla protein milk typically include semi-skimmed milk, milk protein concentrate, and stabilizers. Flavored versions also incorporate sugar and natural flavorings, while lactose-free options contain a lactase enzyme. The specific formulation varies across product lines.

Key Points

Core Ingredients: Arla protein milk consists primarily of cow's milk and added milk protein concentrate or isolate for higher protein content.
Protein Types: The added protein is sourced from milk itself, containing a natural blend of both whey and casein proteins.
Flavor Variants: Flavored shakes, like chocolate or vanilla, include natural flavorings, sugar, and sometimes fat-reduced cocoa powder.
Stabilizers Used: To prevent separation and maintain a smooth texture, stabilizers like gellan gum, carrageenan, and trisodium citrate are added to some products.
Lactose-Free Options: Lactose-free versions are created by adding a lactase enzyme, which breaks down milk sugar for easier digestion.
Natural Ingredients: Arla emphasizes its use of natural ingredients and avoids artificial additives, relying on its farmer-owned sourcing.

Core Ingredients in Arla Protein Milk

At its foundation, Arla Protein milk is built upon a simple combination of dairy products and added milk proteins to boost its nutritional value. The most fundamental version is the Semi-Skimmed milk, which serves as the base for many of their offerings.

The Dairy Base: Milk

The primary ingredient is, unsurprisingly, milk. For the semi-skimmed variant, this constitutes the bulk of the product, providing the essential foundation of calcium, vitamins, and minerals naturally found in milk. Arla is a farmer-owned cooperative, which means they control the sourcing of their milk, ensuring quality and traceability.

Boosting Protein: Milk Protein Concentrate

To achieve its high-protein status, Arla adds Milk Protein Concentrate. This is a dairy ingredient produced by filtering milk to concentrate its protein content. Milk protein contains two main types: whey and casein. The specific concentrate ratio can vary, but its purpose is to significantly increase the protein per serving compared to standard milk. For other products, ingredients like Milk Protein Isolate or Whey Protein may be specified.

Maintaining Texture: Stabilizers

To prevent the different components from separating and to give the milk a smooth, creamy mouthfeel, stabilizers are often added. Common stabilizers listed in Arla products include:

Gellan Gum: A gelling agent that helps to create a uniform suspension.
Carrageenan: A thickening agent and stabilizer derived from seaweed.
Trisodium Citrate: An acidity regulator and emulsifying salt that helps stabilize the milk proteins.

Ingredient Variations Across Arla Protein Products

The ingredient list can change considerably depending on the specific product line and flavor. Arla offers a range of shakes and flavoured milks in addition to their classic semi-skimmed version.

Flavored Shakes

For options like the Vanilla or Chocolate flavoured shakes, additional ingredients are included to create the desired taste and texture. For example, the Chocolate Flavoured Milk Drink contains:

Skimmed milk and milk protein concentrate.
Sugar for sweetness.
Fat-reduced cocoa powder.
Natural flavoring.

Similarly, the Vanilla Flavoured Shake includes sugar and natural flavoring.

Lactose-Free Products

For consumers with lactose intolerance, Arla offers lactose-free protein milk products. The key ingredient that makes this possible is Lactase Enzyme. This enzyme is added to break down the lactose (milk sugar) into more easily digestible sugars, allowing those who are sensitive to consume the product without discomfort.

Comparing Different Arla Protein Variants


Ingredient	Arla Protein Semi-Skimmed Milk	Arla Protein Vanilla Flavoured Shake	Arla Protein Lactose-Free Chocolate	Arla Organic Full Fat Milk (for comparison)
Milk Content	Semi-Skimmed Milk (88%)	Skimmed Milk (39%), Whole Milk (20%)	Filtered Skimmed Milk (85%)	100% Full Fat Organic Milk
Protein Source	Milk Protein Concentrate	Milk Protein Isolate (23%), Milk Protein Concentrate (8%)	Whey Protein, Milk Protein Concentrate	Natural Milk Protein
Sweeteners	Natural Milk Sugars (Lactose)	Sugar (1.8%), Natural Flavouring	Sugar (2%), Natural Flavouring	Natural Milk Sugars (Lactose)
Stabilizers	N/A	Gellan Gum, Carrageenan, Trisodium Citrate	Carrageenan	N/A
Enzymes	N/A	Lactase Enzyme	Lactase Enzyme	N/A
Other Additives	N/A	Water	Water, Fat Reduced Cocoa Powder	N/A

Decoding the Ingredient Label

When examining the ingredient list on any Arla Protein product, it's important to understand what each component contributes. The inclusion of additional protein comes from concentrates or isolates, which are not artificial but are simply concentrated forms of the natural proteins already present in milk. The flavourings and sugars add taste, while stabilizers ensure a smooth, appealing texture throughout the product's shelf life. For example, the chocolate flavour comes from fat-reduced cocoa powder, while sweetness can come from added sugar or, in some low-sugar versions, from sweeteners like Steviol glycosides from Stevia.

Arla also highlights that its milk is free from artificial hormones, antibiotics, and unnecessary additions, reflecting their focus on natural goodness. The specific type of protein used can include both whey and casein, which are the two main proteins in milk, providing a complete amino acid profile. The company offers detailed ingredient breakdowns on its product packaging and website for specific regional products, which can be found via searching on their official site, such as this overview page: Arla Protein.

Conclusion: More Than Just Milk

Ultimately, the ingredients in Arla protein milk begin with a base of high-quality dairy, which is then fortified with additional milk proteins to significantly increase its protein content. The final ingredient list varies depending on the specific product's flavour profile and lactose content, incorporating natural flavourings, controlled amounts of sugar, and stabilizers to ensure quality. By concentrating milk protein and adding specific enzymes for lactose-free versions, Arla provides a convenient way for consumers to increase their protein intake, whether for post-workout recovery or simply as a dietary boost. Reading the label carefully will reveal the exact composition, ensuring you choose the right product for your nutritional needs and preferences.

Frequently Asked Questions

Not all Arla protein milk products are lactose-free. However, Arla offers specific lactose-free protein shake variants that contain a lactase enzyme to break down the milk sugar, lactose.

Arla protein milk contains milk proteins, which are a natural blend of both whey and casein protein. Some products specify they use milk protein concentrate or isolate to increase the protein content.

Arla states that its protein milk products are made from natural ingredients and contain no artificial flavors or sweeteners, though some flavored variants contain added sugar.

Arla protein milk differs from regular milk primarily by its significantly higher protein content, achieved by adding extra milk protein concentrate. For example, the semi-skimmed variant has 53% more protein than standard semi-skimmed milk.

Yes, you can use Arla protein milk for cooking and baking just like regular milk. The semi-skimmed version is particularly versatile for recipes that call for standard milk, offering a protein boost to your meals.

The stabilizers in Arla protein milk, such as gellan gum and carrageenan, are used to create a smooth, consistent texture and prevent the ingredients from separating during storage.

Arla is a farmer-owned dairy cooperative, and it gets its milk from the cooperative's farmers in Northern Europe. This allows them to maintain quality and ensure the milk is responsibly sourced.