A 64-ounce jug of Market Pantry (Target's brand) milk is $2.39. Fortunately, there are endless options when it comes to non-dairy milk, chocolate milk, yogurt, protein shakes, and more. The company cited Fair Oaks Farms' actions in light of the ARM investigation as well, saying Fair Oaks Farms has commissioned an independent auditor to audit practices at the farm and has also committed to conduct independent, random audits. Advancements in reproductive technology have led to more calves being born on farms today, and most conventionally raised cows are now fed a diet of grain versus grass. Claims like these inspire people to choose these products, because they believe that they are better. Though videos showing animal abuse across different types of farms are not new, the initial Fair Oaks video release sparked a substantial outcry due to the company's history of promoting its own sustainable farming practices and animal welfare. The impact of coronavirus and circumstances arising from 2019 have led to the termination of three major executive positions at Fair Oaks Farm. During the investigation, initiated in 2018, an ARM undercover investigator captured surveillance evidence of the systematic and horrific animal abuse occurring at Fair Oaks Farm's Dairy Farm Adventures, Indiana, USA. Fair Oaks Farms is based in Fair Oaks, Indiana. Derrer added that during their most recent legislative session, Indiana's legislators made changes to the state's animal welfare laws, which include harsher punishment for those found guilty of animal abuse. That manager notified local law enforcement about the drug use and, accordingly, a police report is on file. In November 2019, The Times reported that at least eight federal lawsuits had been filed against Fairlifefrom across the country, including California, Florida and Indiana. | 2 p.m. "They recognize the seriousness of this situation as their founding principles are grounded in a strong commitment to sustainability, transparency and the highest standards of animal welfare. Now millions more are becoming aware of these issues.". "We have been in contact with Fairlife about this situation and have full confidence in their management team to urgently address this issue with Fair Oaks Farms, which is a third-party supplier to Fairlife," Coca-Cola said in a statement. Because of these laws, there is no way to know for sure what is going on at Fairlifes farms. The truck driver, who was responsible for picking up the calves, will not be allowed on Fair Oaks Farms again. Fairlife does not provide any evidence that its cows are no longer being abused in fact, industrial animal farms are protected from being photographed or filmed by a set of laws called ag-gag laws. Its signature product is a form of ultrafiltered milk that has more protein and less sugar than traditional milk. Fair Oaks Farms was the worst abuse towards newborn babies that I have ever seen, Couto said Thursday. May 27 2021, Published 1:51 p.m. You can also make plans to watch the upcoming documentary Milked, which is all about the dairy industry, its impacts on the environment, and what needs to be done to turn things around. While Fairlife has cut ties with Fair Oaks, Couto said eliminating one supplier doesnt eliminate the problem. The fifth person is a truck driver who works for a third party. A Crown Point, Indiana, woman filed a federal lawsuit Thursday against Fair Oaks Farms, saying the company misled consumers who bought its milk at prices higher than . No court records were available on the remaining defendants. It was evident to the investigator that it was the normal way to do business at the farm, the document read. ARMs Fairlife investigation proved that there is no way to truly know what is happening behind a farm's closed doors. Pending orders of Fairlife products were suspended at Family Express, according to a news release issued by the company. And while it sounds good that Fairlife is conducting third-party audits of its farms, Fairlife does not state what happens if its auditors observe abuse at a farm. Though the newly released footage was taken last year by the same undercover agent who took video showing the farm's calves being abused, its release has trigged a new wave of protests as the brand continues to do damage control. FARM mandates that all farm employees who handle animals must complete stockmanship training. One exception is Chobani, which last week said it was ending the production of its Chobani Ultra-Filtered Milk,which launched in February. And I watched the video, said Diane Mason, a reader from Melbourne, Florida, who reached out to the Tribune by email Thursday. Indiana State Veterinarian Bret D. Marsh, DVM, has directed BOAH staff to collaborate with local law enforcement regarding any appropriate next steps they may take.. They are distributed by the Coca-Cola Company in the U.S. graphic video filmed at Indiana's Fair Oaks Farms, new footage was released by Animal Recovery Mission, thousands of smaller dairy farms closing for business, National Dairy Farmers Assuring Responsible Management (FARM), Grocery stores pull popular milk brand from shelves after disturbing video surfaces, the Chicago-based company is being sued for fraud, which still has a 4.5-star rating on TripAdvisor, retailers including Jewel-Osco, Tonys Fresh Market, Casey's and Family Express have stopped selling Fairlife products, The new laws will go into effect on July 1. Times staff writers Joseph S. Pete and Anna Ortiz contributed to this report. Months ago, when I first learned of the undercover activity, I requested a 3rd party review and we went through a re-training process throughout the dairies. "I think people are starting to understand that and diving into the dairy issue for their own physical health, animal abuse and environmental impact. Richard Couto, 50, founder of Animal Recovery Mission, said the actions depicted at Fair Oaks shocked even their seasoned animal abuse investigators. Shot in 2018 by an undercover activist group investigator at Fair Oaks Farms, then the massive flagship dairy of Fairlife, the four-minute video depicts workers throwing, dragging, kicking and hitting newborn calves. I am committed to never again have to watch a video of our animals suffering the way that they suffered," McCloskey said June 6, 2019, in a video posted to Fair Oaks Farms' Facebook page. Yet many farmers argue that it's in their best interest to treat their animals humanely. The Coca-Cola Company and Fair Oaks owners Mike and Sue McCloskey are named as co-defendants in the suits, which are being consolidated into a. Caitlin O'Kane is a digital content producer covering trending stories for CBS News and its good news brand, The Uplift. Subscribe to Food Dive for top news, trends & analysis, The free newsletter covering the top industry headlines, OCHO Candy Launches New Plant-Based Caramel Line, Pregis Performance Flexibles Facilities Are ISCC PLUS Certified, METER Group Food Scientists to Present New Research on Powdered Foods, By signing up to receive our newsletter, you agree to our, By Five workers in the video were identified as participating in the alleged abuse. When it entered the national market in 2014, Fairlife quickly garnered a lot of attention for producing a milk with "superior nutrition." "We have staff in the farm sites regularly," she said. three times as many greenhouse gas emissions. According to the USDA, cows raised on organic farms may not be given growth hormones of any type. Animal Recovery Mission also alleges supervisors and owners at the farm were aware of the conditions and took part in the abuse. She spends her time monitoring traffic and weather reports, scanning crime logs and reading court documents. Fairlife, Coca-Cola sued after animal abuse videos exposed at supplier Plaintiffs suing Fairlife seek class-action status for alleged animal She is a graduate of Ball State University with a major in journalism and minor in anthropology. One of my friends on Facebook shared it. I also take full responsibility to correct and ensure that every employee understands, embraces and practices the core values on which our organization stands. FAIR OAKS Videos of calves being body slammed and kicked at Fair Oaks Farms posted two years ago by activist group Animal Mission Recovery has had a recent viral resurface on social media. In a public statement in 2019,Fair Oaks Farms Chairman Mike McCloskeyacknowledged that four of the people shown committing alleged abuses were Fair Oaks Farms employees, and one person was a third-party truck driver who was transporting calves. The Newton . Other premium brands, including A2, have been a hit with consumers. Those found guilty of animal abuse usually face dual penalties of jail time and fines. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. But not his teammates. Time passed, and the product found its way back onto store shelves. You can cancel at any time. "Isolated incidents such as this are not indicative of how our countrys dairy farm families operate.". Names released of 3 charged in Fair Oaks Farms animal abuse case 219-933-4194, anna.ortiz@nwi.com. McCloskey, a retired veterinarian, and his wife Sue often used the word symbiotic to describe their relationship to their cows (which they referred to as their girls). Fair Oaks Farms said five people in the video were identified and four of them are employees at the farm. Slashing Methane Emissions by 45 Percent Is Crucial to Avoid Climate Catastrophe and Easy, Says UN Report. The Coca-Cola Company and Fair Oaks owners Mike and Sue McCloskey are named as co-defendants in the suits, which were being consolidated into a single fraud case. "This is a much greater investigation and it's still ongoing," Couto said. -- Police are investigating allegations of animal abuse at an Indiana dairy farm, the Newton County Sheriff's Office said Wednesday. Unfortunately, the fourth employee's animal abuse was not caught at that same time. Others boycotted dairy entirely, and switched to non-dairy milk, cheese, and ice cream. It didn't come from us.". ET, Webinar Fairlife, which is owned by Coca-Cola, quickly cut ties with the dairy farm after the video first went viral. Critics of dairy operations, such as Mercy for Animals, PETA and The Humane Society of the U.S., maintain . Mike McCloskey owns both Fairlife dairy products and Fair Oaks Farms. "We will work with the Newton County prosecutors office to file charges for any criminal activity the independent investigation revealed. In addition, Fairlife said they are immediately suspending milk deliveries from the dairy identified in the video. (Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar) A factor in our decision was the public response by Fair Oaks, asserting the notion that this was an isolated incident," the company said in a release. Fairlife, Coca-Cola, hit with second wave of lawsuits over animal abuse Plaintiffs in the lawsuit allege that these qualities justified premium prices for the product, which they said they bought the products solely because of the guarantee for "extraordinary animal care. On June 12, however, new footage was released by Animal Recovery Mission (ARM) purportedly showing Fair Oaks workers punching adult cows, hitting them with metal poles and allegedly breaking the tails of some cows which did not cooperate with employees. Please subscribe to keep reading. Coca-Cola and others agree to $21M settlement for Fairlife animal abuse It is with a heavy heart that I prepare this statement today. While Fairlifes investigation went far more viral than any other undercover footage from a dairy farm has, there have been many other videos and documentaries revealing animal cruelty across the dairy industry and animal agriculture industry as a whole. A recent video shows abuse of animals located on one of the farm's properties. Regardless, I am disgusted by and take full responsibility for the actions seen in the footage, as it goes against everything that we stand for in regards to responsible cow care and comfort. Driver in ditch nearly 5 times the legal limit, Porter County police say. A recent video shows abuse of animals located on one of the farm's properties. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. Coutos organization has investigated alleged abuse at 25 dairy farms in the U.S., including a 2017 investigation at a Florida dairy farm associated with Dean Foods, which filed for bankruptcy in 2019. The parties, which include Select Milk Producers, Fair Oaks Farms and Mike and Sue McCloskey (the owners of Fair Oaks and founders of Fairlife), also agreed to take additional steps to implement animal welfare oversight, according to the filing. {{start_at_rate}} {{format_dollars}} {{start_price}} {{format_cents}} {{term}}, {{promotional_format_dollars}}{{promotional_price}}{{promotional_format_cents}} {{term}}, UPDATE: Death of Winfield woman ruled a homicide, coroner says, 2 Illinois men each sentenced to over 90 years for killing of Portage High School student, UPDATE: Parents discovered battered, deceased Winfield woman; remembered as 'amazing' nurse, KFC is bringing back a fan favorite after a nearly 10-year hiatus, UPDATE: Lake Station police investigating possible homicide; suspect in custody, chief says, Crown Point schools release redistricting maps, History Channel's 'American Pickers' coming back to Indiana, looking for people with antiques, Lake County investigators on scene of death investigation in Winfield, sheriff says, Passed-out motorist found with lit marijuana cigarette, Portage police say, 1 million-square-foot, 'once-in-a-lifetime building' walls erected in new business park, Man found dead from gunshot wound in Munster parking lot, coroner says, Lake Station man charged with murder in connection with deadly shooting, Riverfront district moves forward in St. John. The farm, which promotes itself as an agritourism destination for families and school groups, has documented steps it has taken to improve animal treatment since the video was released. It's well-know that a suspected animal-abuse video was released by an activist group known as Animal Recovery Mission about the dairy operation at Fair Oaks Farms in Indiana. According to online federal court records, the next hearing will be a remote status hearing on July 15. Coworkers caught. Strack's CEO, Jeff Strack, said the Highland-based company would no longer carry Fairlife products like Core Power protein shakes at its 20 supermarkets in Northwest Indiana. Sour Milk | Successful Farming Founded in 2012, the ultra-filtered dairy brand announced earlier this year it surpassed $1 billion in annual retail sales. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. Its not the farm, its the industry, Couto said. After watching the video, the board reviewed compliance records and logs for Fair Oaks Farms and has since been directed to cooperate with authorities. "The employees featured in the video exercised a complete and total disregard for the documented training that all employees go through to ensure the comfort, safety and well-being of our animals.". To add insult to injury, the abuse is rampant even at Fairlifes 'flagship farm in Indiana' that customers are urged to visit on the products labels.". On Wednesday, the company issued a new statement on its Facebook page taking "full responsibility" for the matter. We will also continue to work with Fair Oaks Farms to ensure specific actions are taken to address this situation and uphold our high standards for animal care.. It's located in Fair Oaks, Ind., just off I-65, about 109 miles north of Indianapolis and. FAIR OAKS An audit of the operations of Fair Oaks Farms should likely be completed early next week. Criminal charges were filed against at least three of the workers. As we shared last week, we are taking immediate actions to ensure our high standards of animal welfare are being executed at each of our supplying farms.". Cut ties with the supplier? Please subscribe to keep reading. Please feel free to contact me if you have any comments or questions. There is also footage of calves left in. You can read more about the audits that Fairlife pledged to take on the brands website; however, the brand did claim to already have governance measures in place before the investigation, so many customers may find it difficult to trust these new procedures. Since the video's widespread release showing young calves being abused by Fair Oaks Farms employees, Strack & Van Til, Jewel-Osco and Family Express announced they are pulling Fairlife products from its shelves. Couto said he believes that there is a growing trend of people turning away from dairy and seeking out alternatives like soy milk due to videos like the ones ARM posted about Fair Oaks Farm. And if you want to take further action, ARM's website has several suggestions for how to get involved. FAIR OAKS The Newton County prosecutor says a witness has corroborated allegations from a suspect that an animal welfare investigator encour, Ford is expanding its workforce again at the Chicago Assembly Plant on the banks of the Calumet River, just across the state line in Hegewisch. Cuoto said, "The answer is no for me. Fairlife is aware of the lawsuit and, in a statement provided to TODAY, said: "We are aware of the lawsuit and are reviewing it. So, in this instance our policy of cow care training "see something, say something" worked. Further cases of animal abuse could provide momentum for animal-free offerings created by precision fermentation. "The expos of animal abuse in the Fair Oaks Farm network is chilling. Fairlife milk pulled from store shelves amid animal abuse video - TODAY None of Fairlife's farms are certified organic but shortly after the company (which was founded by a veterinarian) was formed in partnership with the Coca-Cola Company in 2012, it frequently advertised itself as spoiling its cows and adhering to a higher standard of animal care through sustainable farming practices. Here's a look at the top 5 trending stories on nwi.com yesterday. Farmers and ranchers . FAIR OAKS Fair Oaks Farms founder Mike McCloskey says he was unaware calves were being sold to the veal industry, citing a lack of communica. So far, there is no evidence that this kind of accusation creates long-term harm for the brands involved. Ex-Fair Oaks Farms worker gets probation for abusing calves A man accused of abusing calves on the large northwestern Indiana farm has been sentenced to a year of probation after a felony. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. "I learned about it yesterday," said Richard Couto,Animal Recovery Mission founder. Get the free daily newsletter read by industry experts. After a graphic video filmed at Indiana's Fair Oaks Farms one of the country's largest dairy operations was released earlier this month, more consumers are calling for retailers to cut ties with brands that have histories of documented animal abuse. May 28, 2021 at 9:40 am A 2-year-old video of alleged animal abuse at a northwest Indiana dairy farm has gone viral again, generating a new wave of social media outrage and renewed calls to. FAIR OAKS The Newton County prosecutor says a witness has corroborated allegations from a suspect that an animal welfare investigator encour. Conventionally raised cows may spend the majority of their lives in pens or inside barns in cramped quarters. The perfect tummy control bodysuit, a popcorn gadget, more bestsellers starting at $8. The abuse in the dairy industry is systematic., Chicago-area grocers pulled Fairlife from their shelves, A defensive stalwart, Oswego Easts Tyler Jasek surprises Joliet West. The public on both sides of the controversial video was passionate about what it saw. He released a video statement following the backlash from the Animal Recovery Mission revelations. They are both owned by Mike McCloskey. The minimizing of the graphic animal cruelty offers little assurance of change in a culture that is likely in need of fundamental retooling.". Gardozo Vasquez pleaded guilty late last year to misdemeanor animal cruelty and was sentenced to a term of probation under a plea agreement in which the prosecutor dropped a felony count of torturing or mutilating a vertebrate animal. But unlike the retailers, it plans to stick with Fairlife. Operation Fair Oaks Farms Dairy Adventure | ARM Investigations Consumers worried about supporting farms with inhumane practices may look for these brands and labels, which designate dairy producers that comply with the ASPCA's standards. One cup of regular 2% milk has 120 calories, 11 grams of sugar, 5 grams of fat, 8 grams of protein and 30% of the daily calcium recommendation. UPDATE: Search for Suspects in Fair Oaks Farm Investigation. ET, 2019 incident in which undercover videos of animal abuse, surpassed $1 billion in annual retail sales, ending the production of its Chobani Ultra-Filtered Milk, some stores stopped carrying Fairlife after the 2019 video, a 2021 report from the World Animal Protection and Compassion in World Farming, consumers are very enthusiastic and curious about animal-free dairy, Fairlife, Coca-Cola sued after animal abuse videos exposed at suppliers dairy farm, How FDA stopped the momentum for CBD in food and drink, Inside PepsiCos strategy to grow its iconic $21B snacking portfolio, Coca-Cola debuts transformation-flavored soda in its latest limited-time offering, Eat Just laying off 18% of workers with cuts impacting plant-based egg business, Daiyas new fermentation technology promises improved plant-based cheese, Meati hires CPG veterans for supply chain and operations, A Foodmakers Guide to Elevating Alternative Proteins, Whats Ahead for Plant-Based Foods in 2023 and Beyond, Preparing Your Business in Times of Economic Downturn, General Mills, Kellogg, Post Holdings threaten legal action over alarming FDA healthy label proposals, Beer Drinkers Cut Back as Bud Brewer AB InBev Raises Prices, Heinz is giving the ketchup boat guy a new ship after he survived on the sauce for 24 days lost at sea, The AI Solution for Sustainability and Supply Chain Ease, How Visibility Technology Can Mitigate Cargo Theft and Security Risk, The Real ROI of Digital Dock Scheduling Software, Best Practices for Improving Food and Beverage Product Quality with ERP, Motif FoodWorks enters molecular farming partnership to produce its heme ingredient. However, this footage was a wake-up call to dairy consumers everywhere. FAIR OAKS One of the men accused of abusing animals at Fair Oaks Farms was arrested Wednesday, while the other two are still being sought by law enforcement. In the initial statement issued Tuesday on social media, Fair Oaks founder Mike McCloskey said four of the people shown committing alleged abuses were Fair Oaks Farms employees and each had been or were being fired. On June 12, 2019, ARM released a cut of the investigators footage documenting cruelty on the dairy farm, which was taken with a hidden body camera. Alex Murdaugh sentenced to life in prison for murders of wife and son, Biden had cancerous skin lesion removed last month, doctor says, White supremacist and Holocaust denier Nick Fuentes kicked out of CPAC, Tom Sizemore, actor known for "Saving Private Ryan" and "Heat," dies at 61, Biden team readies new advisory panel ahead of expected reelection bid, At least 10 dead after winter storm slams South, Midwest, House Democrats unhappy with White House handling of D.C.'s new criminal code. In June 2019, ARM published a video (warning it's brutal) of the investigators most shocking footage, which quickly went viral. Parth Raval, the division's chief growth officer, said the CPG giant is exploring different ingredients, packaging formats and flavor offerings to strengthen its dominant presence in the category. Still, a 2021 report from the World Animal Protection and Compassion in World Farming found many food companies are not doing enough to prioritize animal welfare. In addition to the state's laws, the board refers to FARM when it comes to industry standards for handling and care. With that said, I am disappointed to learn of potential drug use on our properties. The brand said it has "significantly strengthened our animal care programs and processes since 2019"through camera monitoring, a third-party animal welfare advisory board and increasing the number of unannounced audits at supplying farms. The farm, which still has a. Warning: the video is very disturbing. Federal lawsuit accuses Fair Oaks Farms of misleading consumers Of the five, four were our employees and one was a 3rd party truck driver who was picking up calves.