What Happened to Fairlife Milk?
Fairlife Milk is an ultra-filtered dairy brand, initially founded in 2012 and fully acquired by The Coca-Cola Company in 2020. Despite facing significant animal welfare controversies and subsequent class-action lawsuits that resulted in a $21 million settlement, the brand has experienced substantial growth due to consumer demand for its high-protein, low-sugar, and lactose-free products. As of July 2026, Fairlife is expanding its production capacity but recently experienced a temporary halt in U.S. operations due to a ransomware attack.
Quick Answer
Fairlife Milk, an ultra-filtered dairy brand, was founded in 2012 and became a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Coca-Cola Company in 2020. The brand faced a major animal abuse scandal in 2019, leading to a $21 million class-action settlement in 2022. Despite this, Fairlife has seen significant growth, driven by demand for its high-protein, low-sugar, and lactose-free products, and is actively expanding its production facilities. Most recently, on July 16, 2026, Fairlife's U.S. production was temporarily suspended due to a ransomware attack, though Canadian operations remain unaffected and product quality is not compromised.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline14 events
Fairlife LLC Formed
Fairlife LLC was formed as a partnership between Select Milk Producers and The Coca-Cola Company, co-founded by Mike and Sue McCloskey.
First U.S. Production Facility Opens
Fairlife's first U.S. production facility opened in Coopersville, Michigan.
National U.S. Launch
The Coca-Cola Company officially launched Fairlife milk across the United States.
Animal Abuse Controversy Erupts
Undercover video footage from Animal Recovery Mission exposed severe animal abuse at Fair Oaks Farms, a key Fairlife dairy supplier, leading to widespread outrage and lawsuits.
Coca-Cola Acquires Full Ownership
The Coca-Cola Company acquired the remaining stake in Fairlife LLC from Select Milk Producers, becoming its sole owner.
$21 Million Settlement Preliminarily Approved
A $21 million class-action settlement for deceptive marketing regarding animal welfare claims received preliminary approval from an Illinois federal judge.
Settlement Receives Final Approval
Final approval for the $21 million class-action settlement was granted.
Settlement Payments Begin
Payments from the $21 million class-action settlement started to be distributed to eligible consumers.
Fairlife Canada Becomes 100% Canadian Milk
Fairlife announced that its products in Canada are now made with 100% Canadian milk, produced at its Peterborough, Ontario facility.
New Animal Abuse Allegations Resurface
A new class-action lawsuit accused Fairlife of sourcing milk from two Arizona dairies with alleged abusive and inhumane practices.
Named 'Most Trusted High Protein Milk'
Fairlife was recognized as the 'Most Trusted High Protein Milk' in the U.S.
Coca-Cola Announces Michigan Facility Expansion
Coca-Cola announced a $650 million investment to expand Fairlife's Coopersville, Michigan production facility, adding new lines expected by 2028.
Refreshed Packaging Rollout
Fairlife began rolling out refreshed packaging for its Core Power and ultra-filtered milk portfolios.
Ransomware Attack Halts U.S. Production
Fairlife's U.S. production operations were temporarily suspended following a ransomware attack on its systems, as disclosed by The Coca-Cola Company.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Fairlife Milk was co-founded in 2012 by Mike and Sue McCloskey, in partnership with Select Milk Producers and The Coca-Cola Company, aiming to innovate the dairy industry with ultra-filtered milk offering enhanced nutritional benefits. The brand officially launched across the U.S. in 2015, marketing itself on claims of superior animal care and sustainable farming practices.
A significant turning point occurred in June 2019 when undercover video footage released by an animal welfare group exposed severe animal abuse at Fair Oaks Farms, a flagship dairy supplier to Fairlife. The graphic videos, showing workers kicking and mistreating calves and adult cows, directly contradicted Fairlife's marketing, leading to widespread public outcry, boycotts by retailers, and multiple class-action lawsuits alleging consumer fraud and deceptive marketing. Fairlife responded by discontinuing milk deliveries from Fair Oaks Farms, firing employees involved, and pledging to implement stricter animal welfare oversight and audits across its supply chain.
In January 2020, amidst the ongoing controversy, The Coca-Cola Company acquired the remaining stake in Fairlife from Select Milk Producers, taking 100% ownership of the brand. This move demonstrated Coca-Cola's confidence in Fairlife's long-term potential despite the reputational damage. By May 2022, a $21 million class-action settlement was preliminarily approved, with final approval granted in September 2022, to resolve claims that consumers were misled by false advertising regarding humane animal treatment. Payments from this settlement began in September 2023.
Despite the past controversies, Fairlife has experienced remarkable growth, driven by a consumer shift towards high-protein, low-sugar, and lactose-free dairy options. The brand surpassed $1 billion in sales in 2022 and nearly $4 billion in retail value by 2025. This rapid growth has led to capacity constraints, prompting significant investments from Coca-Cola. In 2024, Coca-Cola announced plans for a new $650 million production facility in Webster, New York, expected to be operational in late 2025 or early 2026. Additionally, in March 2026, Coca-Cola committed another $650 million to expand Fairlife's existing Coopersville, Michigan facility, with new production lines anticipated by 2028.
However, new animal abuse allegations resurfaced in June 2025, with a class-action lawsuit accusing Fairlife of sourcing milk from two Arizona dairies with alleged inhumane practices. As of January 2026, Fairlife was recognized as the 'Most Trusted High Protein Milk' in the U.S., indicating a strong market recovery and consumer trust in its product quality. The most recent development, on July 16, 2026, saw Fairlife's U.S. production temporarily suspended due to a ransomware attack on its systems, as disclosed by Coca-Cola. Canadian production operations were not impacted, and product quality and safety were confirmed to be unaffected.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Fairlife Milk made different choices?