The grocery store's milk cooler is a virtual rainbow of colored labels, but what does it all mean?
This Is What Milk Label Colors Really Mean
Updated on Jun. 13, 2025
Have you ever noticed how the milk section at your grocery store is actually quite colorful? How the rainbow of caps and labels contrasts with the white cartons? You may not even be aware of it, but you most likely shop for your milk based on the color of the cap instead of reading the label.
But what do those different milk label colors actually mean? Keep reading to find out all about the meaning of blue, green, red—and purple!—milk labels.
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Why are there different milk label colors?
The reason for the rainbow of colors is that milk label colors typically correspond with the milk’s percentage of fat. However, not all brands go by this color scheme, which is why it’s still important to scan the label to ensure that you’re choosing the right container for you.
But for those brands that do like to follow a good color scheme, here’s a rundown of the milk label colors you’ll see in the dairy section and what they mean.
Blue = 2% milk
Most brands use blue or light blue caps to denote 2% milk. Brands like Kemp’s and Dairy Maid used to cap their milk with yellow, but now they’ve switched to blue caps. Borden also uses blue for its 2% containers.
Wellsley Farms, however, uses a purple cap for its 2% milk, proving that it’s important to still read the label.
Green = 1% milk
The color green is typically used for 1% milk. Wellsley Farms, however, once again bucks the trend and currently uses a blue cap for its 1% milk.
Red = Whole milk
Whole milk labels are red so that they stand out from the reduced-fat and skim milks. Even Wellsley Farms has a red cap for its whole milk. But it also has a red cap on its skim milk, so the meanings of milk caps can still be a bit baffling.
Purple = Skim milk
Skim milk, or non-fat milk, usually has a purple cap to indicate that it contains little to no fat.
Again, Wellsley Farms is the exception, with a red cap for its skim milk. But be sure to read the label to ensure you’re grabbing the red-capped skim milk, not the red-capped whole milk.
Read past the milk label colors
As handy as milk label colors can be, milk labeling standards are not universal to brands or supermarkets throughout the world.
In 2022, Lidl GB, which serves the Great Britain market, removed the green caps from its semi-skimmed and organic fresh milk and replaced them with clear caps that are more eco-friendly. (One might say the company replaced green caps with a different kind of green cap.)
Then, there are different types of milk containers with caps that don’t seem to follow any color coding as a milk fat percentage guide. Cardboard containers and milk jugs often feature white tops or caps, regardless of the type of milk—yes, even oat and almond milk.
The moral of the story for milk drinkers? While milk label colors often do reveal the milk fat percentage, if you want to avoid disappointment, double-check the wording on the label before you add any container of milk to your cart. Another thing to check for? The sell-by date, so that you know you’ll be drinking the freshest milk possible, regardless of color or label.
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Sources:
- Lidl: “Lidl GB announces permanent removal of green coloured milk caps following successful trial”
