Top Picks for Creamy Indulgence: Best Full Cream Milk Brands

Full cream milk is a staple in many households, offering a rich, creamy texture and essential nutrients. With numerous brands vying for consumer attention, it's essential to identify those that consistently deliver quality and flavor. From local dairy farms to renowned global brands, the market is saturated with options, each claiming to be the best. To help you navigate this creamy landscape, we have compiled a list of the top brands known for their superior full cream milk offerings below.

Illustration of full cream milk

Best brands of full cream milk in 2025

Organic Valley

Organic Valley is a leading producer of high-quality, full cream milk, known for its commitment to organic and grass-fed dairy practices. The brand, which is the largest supplier of 100 percent grass-fed organic dairy in the U.S., has been at the forefront since launching the first national 100 percent grass-fed milk in 2011. Organic Valley's milk is enriched with 147% higher omega-3s and 125% higher CLA compared to conventional whole milk, as evidenced by a peer-reviewed study published in Food Science and Nutrition. The cooperative supports over 1,400 organic dairy farms across 31 states, ensuring a robust supply of nutritious milk. In 2023, Organic Valley welcomed 84 new family farms, further expanding its network. For more detailed information, you can visit their official product page.

Horizon Organic

Horizon Organic is a leading producer of high-quality, full cream milk, adhering to stringent USDA Certified Organic standards that ensure no GMOs, antibiotics, added hormones, or toxic pesticides are used. Founded in 1991, the company sources milk from over 700 certified organic family farms across 23 states, with 99% of its milk coming from these partnerships. Horizon Organic's products are rich in nutrients, offering 8g of protein, 25% of the daily value for calcium, and 25% of the daily value for vitamin D per serving. The company has maintained its commitment to organic standards despite changes in ownership, including its recent acquisition by Platinum Equity in 2024. Horizon Organic's dedication to humane cow treatment and sustainable practices further solidifies its position as a top choice for organic milk consumers.

Amul

Amul, as one of the world's leading milk producers, stands out for its high-quality full cream milk, with a daily milk collection average of 4.7 million liters and a total milk handling capacity of 8.4 million liters per day. Established in 1946, Amul has a robust supply chain and distribution network, ensuring efficient delivery of its products. The brand boasts a diverse product portfolio, including various dairy items like butter, cheese, and ice cream, with Amul butter holding a 90% market share in India. Amul's commitment to quality has earned it numerous awards, such as the World Dairy Innovation Awards 2020. With over 7.22 million producer members and 1,278 village dairy cooperative societies, Amul's model has significantly benefited farmers and consumers alike.

Dairy Farmers

Dairy Farmers, as part of the broader dairy industry, contributes to the high-quality milk production seen in states like New York, which produces over 16.1 billion pounds of milk annually, making it the fifth largest dairy state in the U.S. The industry's focus on quality and nutrition is evident in the increasing milk production per cow, with averages reaching up to 24,500 pounds per cow in New York State by 2020. Full cream milk, a staple product, is often produced using traditional and artisanal techniques, similar to those employed by Bellwether Farms, which emphasizes whole milk for its nutritional and flavor benefits. The dedication to wholesome and nutritious products aligns with consumer preferences for high-quality dairy. This commitment to quality and nutrition makes brands like Dairy Farmers stand out in the market.

Whole Foods 365

Whole Foods' 365 Organic brand stands out as a top producer of full cream milk, notable for its high ethical standards and transparency. The brand sources its organic milk from family farmers rather than industrial-scale factory farms, ensuring a high integrity milk supply. With a strong policy enforcing cows' time on pasture, the brand achieves a very low cull rate and never uses antibiotics or reproductive hormones. Whole Foods was the first retailer to be transparent about their private-label products, setting a high standard in the industry. This commitment earns them a "FOUR COWS rating" from the Cornucopia Institute, indicating excellent practices.

Lactalis

Lactalis, the world's largest dairy company, has solidified its position as a leading producer of high-quality dairy products, including full cream milk. With a global footprint spanning 51 countries and 270 production sites, Lactalis processes over 5.1 billion liters of milk annually in France alone. Despite recent plans to reduce milk collection by 9% to focus on more profitable consumer products like cheese and yogurts, Lactalis remains a dominant force, having achieved over $30 billion in annual business in 2023. The company's aggressive mergers and acquisitions strategy has been key to its growth, with significant investments in regions like Brazil where it aims to increase its market share to 15% by 2028. Lactalis's commitment to quality and innovation has made it a trusted name in the dairy industry. For more detailed insights, visit the article about Lactalis's market leadership here.

Devondale

Devondale, under the Murray Goulburn Co-operative, was a leading producer of full cream milk in Australia, sourcing 2.94 billion litres of milk from its 2,497 dairy farmer-shareholders in the 2011-12 financial year, which accounted for approximately 31% of Australia's total milk production. Known for its high-quality dairy products, Devondale exported 304,000 tonnes of product, primarily to Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and the Americas. The company operated nine manufacturing plants in Victoria and Tasmania and was the largest container user in the Port of Melbourne. Devondale's products included a range of consumer goods such as milk, cheese, and dairy ingredients. Despite its significant presence, the company was sold to Saputo Inc. in 2018 due to financial difficulties. You can learn more about Devondale on the Murray Goulburn website.

Parmalat

Parmalat is a leading producer of full cream milk, operating prominently in Italy and other global markets. The company retains its leadership in the segments of pasteurized and UHT milk, despite challenging market conditions, with its Zymil brand contributing significantly to its market share. In Italy, Parmalat operates 9 manufacturing facilities and maintains a strong presence in various dairy product categories, including UHT milk, pasteurized milk, and UHT cream. The brand has managed to strengthen its market share even in segments experiencing volume declines, such as the UHT cream category, through strategic pricing and product innovations. Parmalat's success is also evident in its stable market position in the fruit beverage segment and the growing demand for its "Light" and "Small Size" products.

Stonyfield Farm

Stonyfield Farm is a leading producer of high-quality, organic full cream milk, founded in 1983 with a mission to demonstrate that environmentally and socially responsible businesses can be profitable. The company, known for its organic yogurt and dairy products, supports over 200 small, organic family farms and ensures that 35% of its total production is certified organic. Stonyfield Farm's commitment to sustainability is evident in its energy-efficient manufacturing processes, including a photovoltaic array and an anaerobic pre-treatment system that generates energy from yogurt processing wastes. The company has achieved significant growth, with sales increasing from $3.5 million in FY1990 to $56.8 million in FY2000. Stonyfield Farm also donates 10% of its profits to environmental initiatives, reflecting its strong social and environmental mission.

Dean's

Dean Foods, headquartered in Dallas, Texas, was the largest processor and distributor of milk and other dairy products in the United States. The company's Fresh Dairy Direct division produced a full line of branded and private label fluid milk and dairy case products, with top regional brands including Dean's, Garelick Farms, and Mayfield. In 2008, Dean Foods sold more than 2.4 billion gallons of milk, enough to fill over 4,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools, and held a significant market share in conventional and value-added milk, including 32% of sales in 2% milk and 26% in whole milk. For more detailed information on their product lineup, visit their official website.