The a2 Milk Co. U.S., Boulder, Colo., and The Hershey Co., Hershey, Pa., announced the release of co-branded chocolate milk, marking Hershey’s first partnership with a premium milk company. The new Hershey’s a2 milk pairs America’s No. 1 milk chocolate brand with one of America’s fastest-growing premium milk brands to provide a natural chocolate milk that uniquely combines the taste, nutrition and all-family appeal that should drive premium milk sales, the companies say.

The 2% reduced-fat a2 milk began to hit retailers’ shelves in January 2022. It comes in 59-ounce refrigerated cartons, as well as in 8-ounce shelf-stable cartons sold singly and in six-packs and 18-packs, the companies say.  

a2 milk comes from cows that naturally produce only the A2 protein rather than the combination of A1 and A2 proteins contained in most dairy products. According to the companies, published research suggests a2 milk that naturally contains the A2 protein may help some people avoid stomach discomfort.

“Premium milk buyers appear to want three things from chocolate milk: taste, quality and natural ingredients,” says Blake Waltrip, CEO of The a2 Milk Co. U.S. “Partnering with the iconic Hershey’s brand and using Hershey’s well-known cocoa in this new product guarantees great chocolate taste …  pairing this with high-quality a2 milk seals the deal in terms of delivering a delicious product that may help some consumers avoid stomach discomfort, and that all consumers can feel good about giving their families. With this partnership, we have taken chocolate milk to a whole new level.”