Fair Oaks Farms owner apologizes for abuse video, pledges changes 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. Fairlife's sales were fast-growing at a time when milk sales have been falling for decades in the United States, and the company just announced in April it planned to build a new $200 million processing plant in Arizona. 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. Time passed, and the product found its way back onto store shelves. A Vermont man filed a complaintthree years ago against Unilever's Ben & Jerrys arguing that contrary to information on the brand's website, it doesnt solely use milk and cream from happy cows. The case was dismissed in 2020. 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. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. By Clinton Griffiths June 10, 2019. The farm is located about 75 miles southeast of Chicago. And when mother cows can no longer lactate, they are of no value to farms so the only financially viable solution is to send them to slaughter. Family Express CEO and founder Gus Olympidis was honored for his distinguished 44-year career in the convenience store business. 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. In the late 1990s, three dairy producers sat in the cab of a pickup contemplating the future of their farms. It's a major reason why Coca-Cola acquired the remainder of Fairlife. 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. ", "Defendants preyed on consumer desire for dairy products sourced from farms that ensure high levels of animal welfare by making animal welfare claims a central tenet of their labeling campaign," one of the lawsuits alleges. Sour Milk. It is with a heavy heart that I prepare this statement today. But somebody shared the video recently on Facebook and it caught fire again, putting Fairlife and Fair Oaks back on the hot seat. However, the spokesperson said the USDA is aware of the video and allegations of animal cruelty must be taken seriously. When reached by TODAY via email, a Fair Oaks Farms representative provided the following statement: "This is the same video that was released and covered last week, which includes footage that took place several months ago. "Isolated incidents such as this are not indicative of how our countrys dairy farm families operate.". Operation Fair Oaks Farms Dairy Adventure | ARM Investigations It's located in Fair Oaks, Ind., just off I-65, about 109 miles north of Indianapolis and. The above suit has been transferred to the U.S. Northern District of Illinois courts and the case is ongoing. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. The video was brought to the attention of The Indiana State Board of Animal Health on Tuesday through social media, news stories and concerned citizens, according to Denise Derrer, the board's public information director. You have permission to edit this article. 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.". According to Alan Bjerga, the senior vice president of communications at the National Milk Producers Federation, about 94% of America's dairy farms have 500 or fewer cows. FAIR OAKS Mike McCloskey said he wished an animal activist organization that spent nearly six months clandestinely filming the operations of, FAIR OAKS | Fortune 60 company Coca-Cola is partnering with a Northwest Indiana farm, hoping that a reinvented, more nutrient-rich milk can do. Three former employees who were seen kicking and throwing calves in the first video released by ARM were charged with animal cruelty last week. If you were horrified by the actions taken at Fair Oaks Farms, youd probably be horrified if you peaked behind the curtain at any industrial dairy farm or slaughterhouse. 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. "I learned about it yesterday," said Richard Couto,Animal Recovery Mission founder. Reaction was fast and furious when the video was released in June 2019. Animal Welfare Experts | Video Update | Fair Oaks Farms Fairlife's website states that after ARM exposed Fairlife's cruelty, the dairy company stopped buying milk from Fair Oaks, and established "a robust welfare program" with their other farms, which Fairlife has put over $8 million into. Ensuring that the animals who provide fairlife dairy products are cared for and cared about is a top priority for fairlife, reads Fairlifes website, while Fair Oaks Farms claims to be "committed to caring for our animals.". And, when cows died of sickness, their dead bodies were dumped outside out of the view of those attending Fair Oaks Dairy Adventure tours; and once cows could no longer produce milk, they were sent to slaughter for meat or dog food. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). Derrer told TODAY that prior to the first video's release, her office had never received a complaint about Fair Oaks Farms. 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. The actions depicted on the Animal Recovery Mission video are unacceptable, a USDA spokesperson said. Fairlife's 2021 stewardship report said it spent more than $8 million on supporting animal welfare standards at its suppliers and exploring new methods and technologies to improve animal care. "We've been trying to figure out where this regeneration of the videos has come from. It is heartwarming as investigators to see reemerging interest. 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. We are proud to report that we have not had another incident on our farm.. Offers may be subject to change without notice. When animals fall within our authorities, USDA acts to prevent animal cruelty such as this. Fortunately, there are endless options when it comes to non-dairy milk, chocolate milk, yogurt, protein shakes, and more. After reviewing the video frame-by-frame, those three employees are responsible for the overwhelming majority of offenses seen in this video. Fair Oaks Farms representatives said Saturday no other incidents have happened since the videos were released in 2019. "The expos of animal abuse in the Fair Oaks Farm network is chilling. A roundup of crime stories from throughout the Region during the past 24 hours. A video released by an animal rights organization shows young calves being kicked in the head, dead calves' bodies piled together in the dirt , FAIR OAKS An audit of the dairy farms that make up Fair Oaks Farms indicates the farms are operating within the standards of the dairy indus. But now, nearly three years later, consumers are wondering how Fairlife treats cows in the wake of the scandal, and if Fairlife still abuses cows in 2021. NEWTON COUNTY One of the three men accused of abusing animals at Fair Oaks Farms is in federal immigration custody, according to police. With that said, I am disappointed to learn of potential drug use on our properties. Copyright 2023 Green Matters. But unlike the retailers, it plans to stick with Fairlife. In a statement to Food Dive, Fairlife said animal welfare is and will always be a top priority." "This is hardly the response you would expect from an organization that gets it. 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.. On Tuesday, the sheriff's office disclosed the suspects' names. Fairlife dairy gets its milk from Fair Oaks Farms. UPDATE: One arrested in Fair Oaks Farms investigation; owners sued We didn't spur it on but we are glad it happened. One exception is Chobani, which last week said it was ending the production of its Chobani Ultra-Filtered Milk,which launched in February. "We acknowledge the need for humane treatment of animals and the need to hold individuals that have gone beyond an acceptable farm management practice accountable for their actions," says a release from the department. ", Anna Ortiz is the breaking news/crime reporter for The Times, covering crime, politics, courts and investigative news. It is unclear if Fairlife will still get dairy from Fair Oaks Farms, since both are owned by the same man. FAIR OAKS, Ind. In June 2019, ARM published a video (warning it's brutal) of the investigators most shocking footage, which quickly went viral. Keep reading for a refresher on what went down, everything we know about Fairlifes treatment of the cows, and for our guidance on easy ways to protest companies that treat animals unfairly. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. Does Fairlife publicize the audit? "This is a much greater investigation and it's still ongoing," Couto said. Fair Oaks Farms is based in Fair Oaks, Indiana. It is a shock and an eye-opener for us to discover that under our watch, we had employees who showed disregard for our animals, our processes and for the rule of law. The animal abuse at Fair Oaks Farms would not be the only potential wrongdoing eligible for action by Newton County prosecutors if a proposal , State leaders so far are staying mum following the release of undercover videos showing animal abuse committed by former Fair Oaks Farms emplo, CROWN POINT Charges filed Tuesday allege a Gary woman dragged a 5-year-old girl by the arm away from a playground and pushed the child to th. "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," McCloskey said in a written statement on the company's website. The result is a milk with more protein and calcium, and less fat and sugar, than conventional milk. "At Jewel-Osco we strive to maintain high animal welfare standards across all areas of our business and work in partnership with our vendors to ensure those standards are upheld. Family Express, the Valparaiso-based chain of convenience stores and gas stations, was named the best convenience store in the state of Indiana. However, before ARM released its footage of Fair Oaks, Fairlife had made plenty of claims in regards to animal welfare. The product delivery arm of Fair Oaks Farms, Fresh Delivery, is suspending service for a week "to stand with the farm and for the safety of th, FAIR OAKS The Newton County Sheriff's Office has identified three of the men accused of abusing young calves at Fair Oaks Farms, according t, Police are looking for a suspicious man who reportedly approached children at Griffith's Central Park Monday, calling one to come to him and a, 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. Calves were stabbed and beaten with steel rebars, hit in the mouth and face with hard plastic milking bottles, kneed in the spine, burned in the face with hot branding irons, subjected to extreme temperatures, provided with improper nutrition, and denied medical attention.". Fairlife, Coca-Cola sued after animal abuse videos exposed at supplier In addition to individuals and companies boycotting the business and its products, in June 2019 delivery services were temporarily suspended. 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. (Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar) As the larger dairy milk category has struggled, premium offerings have largely been a promising growth story. All of the brand's beverages are made using a patented, cold-filtration process where milk molecules are separated by different filters and then recombined in a formula with more favorable macro nutrient ratios. After all, it's their product and their livelihood at risk since most calves sell for between $500 - $1,000. "I guarantee you that this will never happen again at Fair Oaks Farms.". A cemetery posted a personal ad for a goose whose mate died. Charges have been filed by the Newton County Indiana Sheriff's office for alleged animal cruelty at Fair Oaks Farms. 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. But this behavior was all observed nearly three years ago so is it still happening? According to the USDA, cows raised on organic farms may not be given growth hormones of any type. In June 2019, undercover footage of appalling animal abuse at a dairy farm that supplied milk to Fairlife went viral, prompting many customers to boycott the ultrafiltered milk company that had claimed to care about animal welfare. , https://t.co/F5bRlpWmVD This had to be the most disgusting & disturbing thing Ive watched. Below is McCloskey's full statement for Fair Oaks Farms: This morning I was made aware of an animal abuse video that the group Animal Recovery Mission (ARM) produced and has released to the public and the press. But that number is rapidly declining, with thousands of smaller dairy farms closing for business over the past two decades. Please feel free to contact me if you have any comments or questions. Coworkers caught three of the four employees abusing animals, reported them to management and they were fired before the Animal Recovery Mission video was even released. Coca-Cola and other parties agreed to pay $21 million to settle lawsuits for falsely advertising their Fairlife ultra-filtered milk came from humanely treated cows. In the video, calves are stomped in the head, kicked, dragged by the tail and ears, hit in the face with plastic milk bottles, thrown out of the back of trucks and into pens, and generally brutalized. Approximately 30 dairies support Fairlife; therefore, we are visiting all supplying dairies in person and conducting independent third-party audits within the next 30 days to verify all animal husbandry practices at the farms, including all training, management and auditing practices, Fairlife said in a statement. In addition, Fairlife said they are immediately suspending milk deliveries from the dairy identified in the video. "But Fairlifes and its founders 'promise' is a sham. A Crown Point woman has filed new claims that she has been harmed by animal cruelty at Fair Oaks Farms. | 2 p.m. Yet many farmers argue that it's in their best interest to treat their animals humanely. Driver in ditch nearly 5 times the legal limit, Porter County police say. Fair Oaks Farms animal abuse: After video exposes abuse at Fair Oaks Federal lawsuit accuses Fair Oaks Farms of misleading consumers WATCH NOW: Fair Oaks Farms reports no further incidents following reemergence of videos. 2019 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. And if you want to take further action, ARM's website has several suggestions for how to get involved. Fair Oaks Farms said five people in the video were identified and four of them are employees at the farm. The fifth person is a truck driver who works for a third party. Alan Bjerga insists that the U.S. dairy community takes the kinds of videos released by ARM very seriously and that it will not be forgotten anytime soon. Fairlife milk products are available nationwide. He said sometimes videos from former investigations will resurface years later but the scope of this reemergence is fairly significant. 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. HAMMOND Fair Oaks Farms is facing new demands it pay damages over animal abuse at the agritourism destination. Animal Welfare Experts | Video Update | Fair Oaks Farms Animal Welfare Animal Welfare Experts Video Update Share Both of our Animal Welfare Experts continue to evaluate our existing training programs, our on-boarding process for hiring new employees and the continuous education of employees. As a result, cows today produce up to 7 times more milk than their predecessors. 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Fairlife said it hasimmediately suspend deliveries and will provide more animal welfare training for employees. 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. Couto said the next video will allegedly show conversations the undercover investigator had with management acknowledging animal abuse. They are both owned by Mike McCloskey. On June 4, 2019, videos depicting employees abusing calves were released by ARM following an undercover investigation by the animal rights group. Was able to make it through 15 seconds of that fairlife video I will never understand how anyone could hurt an animal. As they considered what may or may not impact their ability to . 2 men found drugged after leaving NYC gay bars were killed, medical examiner says. The controversy surrounding Fair Oaks Farms led to a flurry of social media comments, statements and responses as fallout from an undercover video showing animal cruelty at the popular Indiana . Further cases of animal abuse could provide momentum for animal-free offerings created by precision fermentation. 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. Here's a look at the top 5 trending stories on nwi.com yesterday. In response to the video, local grocery store chain Jewel-Osco said it was removing all Fairlife products that come from Fair Oaks Farms from its stores. Fair Oaks Farms was the worst abuse towards newborn babies that I have ever seen, Couto said Thursday. There was a problem saving your notification. 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. Fair Oaks Farms notified Fairlife that they immediately isolated dairy supply from the dairy identified in the video to suspend all sourcing from that location We fully support and respect the proactive approach that Fairlife and Fair Oaks Farms have taken and we continue to stay in contact with them to lend any support they need.". "Since then, we have taken vigilant, unwavering steps to actively monitor all human-animal interaction 24 hours a day by installing cameras throughout our farms, and bolstered these efforts with hiring an on-site animal welfare expert and conducting regular third-party audits to confirm our monitoring practices, to ensure we havent overlooked anything," the company said. I am disappointed for not being aware of this kind of awful treatment occurring and I take full responsibility for what has happened. 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. That manager notified local law enforcement about the drug use and, accordingly, a police report is on file. And I watched the video, said Diane Mason, a reader from Melbourne, Florida, who reached out to the Tribune by email Thursday. Of the five, four were our employees and one was a 3rd party truck driver who was picking up calves. Founded in 2012, the ultra-filtered dairy brand announced earlier this year it surpassed $1 billion in annual retail sales. Fairlife claims to only source milk from farms with a zero tolerance policy for animal abuse, and the proper care of the animals that supply the milk for our products continues to be a top priority..
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