Milks
Fairlife protein drink
6.12 L/340 mL
Score
- Ultra-processed
- Contains non-nutritive sweeteners
- Contains emulsifiers studied for gut effects
Why it scores 49
Fairlife protein drink scores 49 out of 100 (Okay) under GoodSwap’s published rules. What moved the score most:
- minus 18 points Ultra-processed (NOVA 4): Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. Strong
- minus 7.5 points Cellulose gum (carboxymethylcellulose): In a small randomized feeding trial, carboxymethylcellulose modestly increased abdominal discomfort and reduced gut microbiota diversity; in mice it promoted low-grade inflammation. Strong
- minus 7.5 points Carrageenan: In the NutriNet-Santé cohort, higher carrageenan intake was associated with a higher risk of type 2 diabetes; cause and effect is not established. Strong
Every line of the math is on The Receipt below, with its evidence tier and sources.
Better protein shakes
-
Ensure Max Protein nutrition shake French Vanilla Ensure No non-nutritive sweeteners · No gut-studied emulsifiers Score 78 out of 100 , 29 points higher -
Eden Shake Sesame & Sea Vegetable Seasoning Eden Not ultra-processed · No non-nutritive sweeteners Score 79 out of 100 , 30 points higher -
Organic Cocoa Cashew Coconut Dairy-free Shake Forager Project No non-nutritive sweeteners · No gut-studied emulsifiers Score 79 out of 100 , 30 points higher -
Organic Green Berry meal shake Urban Remedy No gut-studied emulsifiers · No cellulose gum (carboxymethylcellulose) Score 77 out of 100 , 28 points higher -
The MealBetix Lifestyle MealBetix · 15 oz Not ultra-processed · No gut-studied emulsifiers Score 79 out of 100 , 30 points higher
The same kind of product, at least 10 points higher, sold in the US. Never paid placements.
The Receipt
Fairlife protein drink
Ingredients
- Cellulose gum (carboxymethylcellulose) minus 7.5 points
- Carrageenan minus 7.5 points
- Acesulfame potassium (Ace-K) minus 7.5 points
- Sucralose minus 4 points
- Natural flavors minus 1.5 points
- Microcrystalline cellulose minus 1.5 points
- Monk fruit extract minus 0.5 points
- Stevia (steviol glycosides) minus 0.5 points
- Maltodextrin minus 0.5 points
Processing
- Ultra-processed (NOVA 4) minus 18 points
- 4 kinds of ultra-processing markers minus 4.5 points
Nutrition per 100 g
- Protein 8.8 g / 100 g plus 2 points
100 − 51.5 = 48.5 → 49
Nutrition per 100 g
| Energy | 44 kcal |
|---|---|
| Fat | 0.7 g |
| Saturated fat | 0.4 g |
| Trans fat | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 1.2 g |
| Sugars | 0.6 g |
| Fiber | 0.3 g |
| Protein | 8.8 g |
| Salt | 0.2 g |
Serving: 1 serving (340 g)
Ingredients
- FILTERED LOWFAT GRADE A MILK
- ALKALIZED COCOA
- NATURAL FLAVORS
- CELLULOSE GEL
- CELLULOSE GUM (moderate concern)
- SALT
- CARRAGEENAN (moderate concern)
- LACTASE ENZYME
- MONK FRUIT JUICE CONCENTRATE
- ACESULFAME POTASSIUM (moderate concern)
- SUCRALOSE (moderate concern)
- STEVIA LEAF EXTRACT
- MALTODEXTRIN
- VITAMIN A (PALMITATE)
- VITAMIN D3
Label text, as published
FILTERED LOWFAT GRADE A MILK, CONTAINS LESS THAN 1% OF: ALKALIZED COCOA, NATURAL FLAVORS, CELLULOSE GEL, CELLULOSE GUM, SALT, CARRAGEENAN, LACTASE ENZYME, MONK FRUIT JUICE CONCENTRATE, ACESULFAME POTASSIUM, SUCRALOSE, STEVIA LEAF EXTRACT, MALTODEXTRIN, VITAMIN A (PALMITATE), VITAMIN D3
Allergens and diets
Contains: Milk
- Not vegan
- Palm-oil-free
Always check the package: recipes change.
More milks on GoodSwap
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Almondmilk Silk · 64 fl oz (1.89 L) Contains seed oils Score 92 out of 100 Excellent -
Evaporated Milk / Leche Evaporada Carnation · 354 mL Ultra-processedContains added sugarsContains emulsifiers studied for gut effects Score 50 out of 100 Okay -
2% Reduced Fat Milk Lactaid No additives Score 100 out of 100 Excellent -
Vanilla lowfat milk, vanilla Nesquik · 14 fl oz Ultra-processedContains added sugarsContains emulsifiers studied for gut effectsContains artificial flavors Score 26 out of 100 Poor -
Organic Reduced Fat Milk Simply Nature Certified organicNo additives Score 100 out of 100 Excellent -
2% Reduced Fat Milk Friendly Farms · 1.89 L No additives Score 100 out of 100 Excellent
More from Fairlife
Sources
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“Relative to control subjects, CMC consumption modestly increased postprandial abdominal discomfort and perturbed gut microbiota composition in a way that reduced its diversity.”
doi.org
-
Dietary emulsifiers impact the mouse gut microbiota promoting colitis and metabolic syndrome
“carboxymethylcellulose and polysorbate-80, induced low-grade inflammation and obesity/metabolic syndrome in wild-type hosts and promoted robust colitis in mice predisposed to this disorder.”
doi.org
-
“This study found positive associations between risk of CVD and intake of five individual and two groups of food additive emulsifiers widely used in industrial foods.”
doi.org
-
“The Panel concluded that there was no need for a numerical ADI and that there would be no safety concern at the reported uses and use levels for the unmodified and modified celluloses”
doi.org
-
“We found direct associations between the risk of type 2 diabetes and exposures to various food additive emulsifiers widely used in industrial foods, in a large prospective cohort of French adults.”
doi.org
-
Re-evaluation of carrageenan (E 407) and processed Eucheuma seaweed (E 407a) as food additives
“However, the Panel noted uncertainties as regards the chemistry, the exposure assessment and biological and toxicological data.”
doi.org
-
Agents Classified by the IARC Monographs, Volumes 1–142 (List of Classifications)
monographs.iarc.who.int
-
Artificial sweeteners and cancer risk: Results from the NutriNet-Santé population-based cohort study
“In this large cohort study, artificial sweeteners (especially aspartame and acesulfame-K), which are used in many food and beverage brands worldwide, were associated with increased cancer risk.”
doi.org
-
Re-evaluation of acesulfame K (E 950) as food additive (plain language summary)
“The acceptable daily intake (ADI) considered safe for all population groups was set at 15 mg/kg body weight (bw) per day.”
efsa.europa.eu
-
WHO advises not to use non-sugar sweeteners for weight control in newly released guideline
“The recommendation is based on the findings of a systematic review of the available evidence which suggests that use of NSS does not confer any long-term benefit in reducing body fat in adults or children.”
who.int
-
Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025–2030
“Limit foods and beverages that include artificial flavors, petroleum-based dyes, artificial preservatives, and low-calorie non-nutritive sweeteners.”
cdn.realfood.gov
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Personalized microbiome-driven effects of non-nutritive sweeteners on human glucose tolerance
“As groups, each administered NNS distinctly altered stool and oral microbiome and plasma metabolome, whereas saccharin and sucralose significantly impaired glycemic responses.”
doi.org
-
“Sucralose-6-acetate significantly increased the expression of genes associated with inflammation, oxidative stress, and cancer”
doi.org
-
“EFSA’s experts concluded that the sweetener sucralose (E 955) continues to be safe for consumers for its currently authorised uses as a food additive.”
efsa.europa.eu
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21 CFR 101.22 Foods; labeling of spices, flavorings, colorings and chemical preservatives
“whose significant function in food is flavoring rather than nutritional.”
ecfr.gov
-
“Greater exposure to ultra-processed food was associated with a higher risk of adverse health outcomes, especially cardiometabolic, common mental disorder, and mortality outcomes.”
doi.org