fairlife milk last

How Long Does Fairlife Milk Last?

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Fairlife milk is a popular choice for many, as it is a lactose-free, ultra-filtered milk product that is made from real dairy. Made from real dairy, it is high in protein and calcium, so it is a beneficial addition to any diet.

As Fairlife milk is ultra-filtered, it does have a different shelf life compared to other dairy milk products, and knowing the shelf life helps you make the most of the milk product.

How long does Fairlife milk last?

Left unopened, Fairlife milk can last for up to 9 months, and even longer if kept in the right environment. However, once opened, Fairlife milk should be consumed in 14 days, and it should be kept in the refrigerator.

Read on to find out more about how long Fairlife milk lasts, as well as the shelf life of other Fairlife milk products, so you can enjoy lactose-free milk at its best quality!

How Long Does Opened Fairlife Milk Last?

The shelf life of Fairlife milk does drop quite drastically once it has been opened, and you do need to be conscious of how long the opened carton of Fairlife milk has been sitting in your refrigerator.

Once Fairlife milk has been opened, it should be used within 10 to 14 days, the same as regular milk, and it should be kept chilled in the refrigerator.

You should look for the same signs that Fairlife milk has spoiled that you would with regular milk, such as an off odor or a change in texture, as the milk will spoil within 2 weeks, and you should try your best to consume it within this time.

How Long Does Sealed Fairlife Milk Last?

Fairlife milk is packaged in special, protected packaging, which allows the shelf-stable product to last longer in the pantry.

For most of the Fairlife milk products, the unopened bottle of milk can be kept in the pantry for up to 9 months. This is a considerably longer time compared to regular milk, but you should still take note of the expiry date, as it is still a dairy product, and the risk of spoiling is still there.

Fairlife milk will also only last this long if it is left in a dark, cool pantry, away from direct sunlight, and as long as the packaging has not been damaged.

One thing to note is that Fairlife products with higher protein contents, such as Elite 42g protein, can last for 9 months unopened, but lower protein products, such as those with 26g of protein, can last for up to 12 months in the pantry.

Why Does Fairlife Milk Have a Longer Shelf Life?

Fairlife milk has a longer shelf life compared to other dairy products because of the way it is processed. Ordinary milk is pasteurized at a high temperature for between 15 to 20 seconds, but Fairlife milk is pasteurized at a higher temperature for less time, which gives it a longer shelf life.

While Fairlife milk is more shelf-stable than regular milk products, it has a very similar shelf life once it has been opened, and it should be consumed within 10 to 14 days once opened.

What Fairlife Milk Products Are There?

Fairlife milk is a lactose-free dairy milk that is available in much the same form as regular milk. You can choose between Partly Skimmed Milk, Skim Milk, and Whole Milk.

All of these are ultra-filtered and are processed in a way that allows them to have a longer shelf life. Unopened, Skim Milk, Partly Skimmed Milk, and Whole Milk can be kept unopened in the pantry for up to 9 months, with the lower protein options lasting for up to 12 months.

However, all of these will need to be consumed within 2 weeks once opened and kept in the refrigerator.

How Long Does Fairlife Chocolate Milk Last?

You do not have to give up chocolate milk just because you are lactose-free, as Fairlife makes a delicious, rich, and creamy Partly Skimmed Chocolate Milk, which is lactose-free, as well as high in protein!

The Fairlife Chocolate Milk does not have as long a shelf life as the other Fairlife milk products, as the sugar and extra flavorings can encourage bacteria growth, and can cause the milk to spoil sooner.

fairlife milk last

Fairlife Chocolate Milk can be kept for up to 3 months in the pantry, and it should be used within 10 days once opened. Keeping the milk in the pantry for 3 months is still longer compared to other chocolate milk brands, as it goes through an ultra-pasteurization process, and it is made with stabilizers.

It is a good idea to keep a check on the best-by or expiry-date on the bottle of Fairlife Chocolate Milk you have purchased, to ensure that you do use it while it is in its best quality.

Can Fairlife Milk Go Bad?

Fairlife milk can definitely go bad if it is well past its expiry date, or if it is not stored properly. While it has a long shelf life unopened, it will go bad after around two weeks when it has been opened.

It can also go bad unopened if it is not kept in the right environment, such as if the packaging is damaged, if it is exposed to sunlight, or if it is kept in damp conditions. It will also spoil if it is kept for longer in the pantry than it is supposed to be stored.

So even though it does have a longer shelf life compared to other milk products, do not expect it to never spoil, and make sure to keep a check on the expiry date!

How to Tell if Fairlife Milk Has Gone Bad?

If your Fairlife milk has been stored in the pantry for a few months, or if you have had a bottle sitting in the fridge for longer than a week and a half, you might be concerned that the milk has begun to spoil.

Like with regular milk, there are various things to look for that indicate that the milk has gone bad, or that it has begun to go bad. This is what to look for:

bad milk

Sour Odor

One of the first signs to notice when Fairlife milk has started to go bad is if the milk has a sour odor. You might not notice that straight away when opening the bottle, so take a closer smell of the milk.

If you notice a sour smell or an off odor, then it is a fairly clear sign that the milk has gone bad, as Fairlife milk should never have a sour or off odor.

Change in Texture

As Fairlife milk starts to spoil, it could go through a change in texture. This could appear as the milk becomes clumpy, and it might start to separate, with some parts being super watery, and others being quite lumpy.

Any change in texture indicates that the milk product has started to spoil, and you should rather pour the milk out than risk drinking it.

Change in Taste

Hopefully, you would have picked up on signs that the Fairlife milk has spoiled before you drink some, but if not, you would definitely notice a sour and off-taste when taking a sip.

The milk should not have any strange, sour tastes, so if this is something that you pick up on when having a sip of Fairlife milk, then you should not drink it anymore.

Change in Color

If Fairlife milk has been left to spoil for quite some time, then there is a chance that it could even change color. This could appear as spots of green or black mold, and if you do see any of this, then you should definitely not consume any of the milk, as it has already spoiled quite badly.

How Long Does Fairlife Milk Last?

Fairlife milk is a shelf-stable product, as it goes through ultra-filtration which not only allows it to last for longer but which means it is lactose-free as well.

A sealed bottle of Fairlife milk kept unopened in a dark, cool pantry, can last for up to 9 months, with the lower protein options lasting for up to 12 months. Once opened, all Fairlife milk products should be consumed within 14 days.

Even though the shelf life of Fairlife milk is longer than other regular milk products, you do still need to keep a check on the expiry date, and you do need to look for any signs of spoiling.

Related Questions

Does Fairlife Milk Come with an Expiry Date?

Fairlife milk does come with an expiry date, as it is a dairy product and therefore will go bad after an extended period of time.

Can You Drink Fairlife Milk after the Expiry Date?

In some cases, you can drink Fairlife milk after the expiry date, as long as you check for any signs of spoiling to be sure that the Fairlife milk product has not gone bad while in storage.

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