Organic Valley introduced a new product line to the U.S. dairy market on March 10, 2026: Organic Valley Protein Plus Ultra-Filtered Milk, a pasture-raised, ultra-filtered organic milk delivering 13 grams of protein and 6 grams of sugar per serving. The line is rolling out now at Target, Publix, Harris Teeter, Sprouts, and Whole Foods Markets nationwide.
According to Organic Valley’s announcement, the product is positioned as the only premium, pasture-raised, ultra-filtered organic milk available nationwide, offered in whole, 2%, and skim varieties at a suggested retail price of $5.99 to $6.99.
Each serving provides 13 grams of protein and 6 grams of sugar, compared to around 8 grams of protein and 12 grams of sugar in standard milk — representing 50% more protein and 50% less sugar than regular milk.
How Ultra-Filtration Works
The nutritional profile of Protein Plus is the direct result of the ultra-filtration process applied after collection. The organic milk goes through an ultra-filtering process that removes water, lactose, and a small amount of natural minerals to concentrate the protein that naturally exists in milk, resulting in a product with 13 grams of protein and just 6 grams of sugar per serving.
No protein is added from external sources. The elevated protein count comes entirely from concentrating what is already present in the milk — a meaningful distinction for clean-label positioning and one that sets this product apart from protein-fortified dairy alternatives that rely on added protein isolates or concentrates.
The farming side of the supply chain is equally specific. The milk process starts on small organic family farms where cows graze on pasture and are raised without antibiotics, artificial growth hormones, toxic pesticides, or GMOs.
A Packaging First for U.S. Retail
The launch also carries a packaging milestone. Protein Plus will be the first U.S. retail product packaged in Tetra Pak’s new Tetra Brik Aseptic 1420 Edge (48oz) carton with the LightWing 30 cap, a format made mainly from renewable plant-based materials and designed to be recyclable, with a tethered, hinged cap that remains attached during use.
For importers, co-manufacturers, and packaging suppliers tracking sustainable dairy packaging innovation, this is a notable debut. The Tetra Pak format signals Organic Valley’s intent to align its supply chain credentials — organic, pasture-raised, farmer-owned — with its packaging footprint.
“Consumers Desired an Organic Option”
Rick Simington, Chief Commercial Officer at Organic Valley, tied the launch directly to a consumer research gap the cooperative identified in the category. “From our research, we found that consumers desired an organic option of ultra-filtered milk. Knowing this, we recognized the opportunity for our cooperative to raise the bar and expand the category by bringing Organic Valley Protein Plus Ultra-Filtered Milk to market and deliver on this consumer need,” Simington stated in the company’s announcement.
The framing is important. Ultra-filtered milk is not a new category. Fairlife, owned by Coca-Cola, has held a dominant position in conventional ultra-filtered milk for years. Organic Valley is not inventing the format — it is organifying it, and bringing farmer-owned, pasture-raised credentials to a segment that has previously lacked a certified organic option at national scale.
What This Launch Means for Dairy Suppliers, Manufacturers, Co-Packers
The Organic Valley Protein Plus launch carries several implications for the broader dairy supply chain.
Ultra-filtration infrastructure is becoming a competitive requirement. The growth of high-protein, low-sugar dairy formats is accelerating demand for ultra-filtration processing capacity. Dairy manufacturers, co-packers, and ingredient suppliers without ultra-filtration capabilities face growing competitive pressure as major brands expand in this segment.
Organic, pasture-raised credentials are now entering functional dairy. Until now, organic and pasture-raised positioning has largely stayed within commodity milk and butter categories. Protein Plus signals that premium supply chain certifications are moving into functional dairy — creating new demand for organic raw milk from certified pasture-raised farms at the wholesale and bulk sourcing level.
This shift will extend beyond dairy into adjacent functional food categories. In March 2026, brands like Perfect Snacks will introduce products that combine high protein content with additional benefits such as prebiotic fiber, while maintaining strict clean-label standards. These innovations will reinforce a broader industry transition toward multi-functional nutrition, where protein, digestive health, and ingredient transparency are expected to coexist within a single product format.
Packaging innovation is part of the product story. Organic Valley’s decision to debut the Tetra Pak LightWing format reflects a growing expectation that sustainability credentials extend to the package, not just the product. For private label brands and manufacturers developing retail-ready dairy lines, this sets a new benchmark for how sustainable packaging can be used as a competitive differentiator.
Organic Valley describes itself as America’s largest farmer-owned organic cooperative, with a mission to save, serve, and safeguard small organic family farms.
FAQs
What is Organic Valley Protein Plus Ultra-Filtered Milk? It is a new line of ultra-filtered, pasture-raised organic milk delivering 13 grams of protein and 6 grams of sugar per serving — 50% more protein and 50% less sugar than regular milk. It is available in whole, 2%, and skim varieties.
Where can you buy Organic Valley Protein Plus? The product is rolling out nationwide at Target, Publix, Harris Teeter, Sprouts, and Whole Foods Markets, with a suggested retail price of $5.99 to $6.99.
How does ultra-filtration increase protein? Ultra-filtration removes water, lactose, and some minerals from the milk, concentrating the naturally occurring protein without adding any external protein sources.
Is this the first organic ultra-filtered milk available nationwide? According to Organic Valley’s announcement, Protein Plus is the only premium, pasture-raised, ultra-filtered organic milk available nationwide in the United States.
What is new about the packaging? Protein Plus is the first U.S. retail product packaged in Tetra Pak’s Tetra Brik Aseptic 1420 Edge (48oz) carton with the LightWing 30 cap, a recyclable format made primarily from renewable plant-based materials.
About Source86
The Organic Valley Protein Plus launch highlights the growing demand for organic dairy ingredients, pasture-raised milk sourcing, and ultra-filtration processing capabilities that power the next generation of retail-ready, high-protein dairy products. At Source86, we connect dairy brands, co-manufacturers, and private label operators with trusted bulk and wholesale suppliers of organic dairy ingredients, specialty milk proteins, and sustainable packaging-aligned supply chain partners.
Whether your R&D team is developing a new ultra-filtered dairy product, sourcing organic pasture-raised milk in bulk for co-packing, or building a private label functional dairy line from the ground up, Source86 is your bridge to the right manufacturing and supply chain partners. Contact Source86 today to start your sourcing search.
