The Great Fairlife Mystery: Is The Salted Caramel Protein Shake Truly Discontinued In 2025?

The Fairlife Salted Caramel protein shake has become the subject of one of the biggest mysteries in the sports nutrition world in late 2025. Dedicated fans of the flavor—known for its perfect balance of sweet, salty, and creamy notes—have been scouring store shelves and online retailers only to be met with "Out of Stock" or "Sold Out" notifications. This widespread disappearance has fueled intense speculation and left consumers wondering if their favorite 30g protein treat has been permanently discontinued by the Coca-Cola-owned brand.

The situation is complex and lacks a clear, official statement from Fairlife, LLC. While many consumers report that the flavor has completely vanished from their local grocery stores and major retailers like Walmart, product listings for the Fairlife Nutrition Plan Salted Caramel and the Fairlife Core Power Salted Caramel still exist on various e-commerce and club store websites, sometimes even with a 2025 copyright. This article dives deep into the current status, explores the likely reasons for its absence, and provides a definitive list of the best alternatives to satisfy your salted caramel cravings.

The Ambiguous Status of Fairlife Salted Caramel in Late 2025

The confusion surrounding the Salted Caramel protein shake stems from a lack of clear communication from the brand, coupled with highly inconsistent product availability across different markets. For the consumer, the effect is the same as a discontinuation, leading to the collective assumption that the beloved flavor is gone for good.

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Is the Flavor Officially Discontinued?

As of late 2025, there has been no widely circulated, official press release or public statement from Fairlife unequivocally confirming the permanent discontinuation of the Salted Caramel protein shake flavor. This is a crucial detail. In the absence of an official statement, the flavor’s status is likely one of the following scenarios:

• Soft Discontinuation/Phasing Out: The company may be quietly phasing out the flavor to streamline production and focus on their core SKUs (Stock Keeping Units) like Chocolate and Vanilla. This is a common practice to optimize supply chain efficiency.
• Limited/Seasonal Availability: It may have been a limited-time or seasonal flavor, which is now out of its production cycle. Its presence on some club store sites (like Costco Business Centre) suggests it might be limited to high-volume retailers or specific regional markets.
• Supply Chain Issues: Given the global supply chain challenges that continue to affect food and beverage production, a shortage of a specific ingredient (like the caramel flavoring or a packaging component) could lead to a severe, prolonged interruption in production, making it appear discontinued.

The fact that product pages remain active on Fairlife's own site and on major retailer platforms, even if listed as "Sold out," indicates the item is still technically in the system, suggesting a potential return, albeit an uncertain one.

The Current Fairlife Protein Shake Lineup

To understand what's missing, it helps to look at the flavors that are currently widely available and actively promoted by Fairlife. The brand operates two primary lines of protein shakes, both utilizing their signature ultra-filtered milk process, which concentrates protein and calcium while reducing lactose and sugar.

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Fairlife Core Power (26g and 42g Protein)

The Core Power line is primarily marketed for athletic recovery, offering higher protein counts in a smaller bottle (typically 14 fl oz). The standard Core Power flavors, which are generally easy to find, include:

• Chocolate (26g and 42g Elite)
• Vanilla (26g and 42g Elite)
• Strawberry Banana (26g)
• Elite Chocolate (42g)
• Elite Vanilla (42g)
• Elite Strawberry (42g)

Fairlife Nutrition Plan (30g Protein)

The Nutrition Plan line is designed for daily nutritional support, often coming in 11.5 fl oz bottles with a flat 30g of high-quality protein and lower sugar content (typically 2g). The consistent flavors are:

• Chocolate (30g)
• Vanilla (30g)
• Strawberry (30g)

The Salted Caramel flavor, when it was available, was typically part of the Nutrition Plan 30g protein line, making its absence particularly noticeable for those who relied on it for their daily protein intake.

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Top 4 High-Protein Alternatives to Fairlife Salted Caramel

If you are one of the many consumers left searching for a replacement for the Fairlife Salted Caramel protein shake, the good news is that the market for high-protein, ready-to-drink (RTD) shakes has never been more competitive. Here are the best alternatives to consider in late 2025, focusing on a similar flavor profile and high protein count.

1. Premier Protein Caramel Shake

This is arguably the most direct and widely available alternative. Premier Protein is a major competitor known for its smooth texture and flavor variety. Their Caramel flavor offers a comparable sweet and rich profile, and it also boasts 30g of protein and only 1g of sugar per shake. Premier Protein shakes are easily found at major retailers, including Sam's Club and Costco, making them a reliable choice for bulk buyers.

2. Labrada’s Lean Body Ready-to-Drink Shakes

For those prioritizing a high protein count and a great taste, Labrada’s Lean Body shakes are often highly rated by experts. While not always offering a direct "Salted Caramel" flavor, their chocolate or vanilla options are top-tier in terms of quality and lack of an unpleasant aftertaste, which is a common complaint with other brands. They are an excellent choice for a meal replacement or post-workout recovery.

3. Evolve Plant-Based Protein Shake (Caramel Macchiato)

If your protein shake journey has led you to explore dairy-free options, the Evolve Plant-Based Protein Shake is a fantastic pivot. Their Caramel Macchiato flavor provides the deep, sweet caramel notes you crave with a touch of coffee flavor, all while being completely vegan. It's a great option for those seeking a lactose-free alternative, similar to Fairlife’s benefit of being lactose-free due to the ultra-filtration process.

4. Muscle Milk Pro Series (Mocha or Vanilla Crème)

As a long-standing player in the RTD protein market, Muscle Milk offers several high-protein options. While they may not have a salted caramel, their Mocha flavor delivers a rich, multi-layered taste that can satisfy the craving for a more complex, dessert-like beverage. The Muscle Milk Pro Series provides up to 32g of protein, making it a powerful recovery tool.

The Future: Will Fairlife Salted Caramel Ever Return?

The fate of the Fairlife Salted Caramel flavor remains in limbo, trapped between consumer demand and corporate production strategy. The fact that the flavor is still mentioned in variety packs and on some retailer product pages provides a glimmer of hope for the dedicated fan base.

Consumers can take a few proactive steps:

• Check Club Stores: Due to potential regional or club-specific distribution, check high-volume retailers like Costco and Sam's Club, which are often the last to carry phased-out products or the first to get limited runs.
• Contact Fairlife Directly: The best way to encourage a flavor's return is to contact the company, a subsidiary of The Coca-Cola Company, through their customer service channels. High consumer demand is often the primary driver for bringing back a "retired" product.
• Monitor Specialty Sites: Keep an eye on international or specialty online supplement retailers, as they sometimes acquire overstock of discontinued flavors for a premium.

Until an official announcement is made, the Fairlife Salted Caramel protein shake will remain the white whale of the protein community. For now, embracing one of the high-quality alternatives is the most reliable way to maintain your fitness and nutrition goals.