An undercover video provided by Animal Recovery Mission shows workers allegedly abusing animals at Fair Oaks Farms in Newton County. Unfortunately, the fourth employee's animal abuse was not caught at that same time. Fair Oaks Dairy Farm animal abuse allegations, video prompt Jewel Osco The company's response to the first video as well as multiple grocers' quick removal of Fairlife products has signaled a change in public reaction where animals bred for dairy or even meat are concerned. 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.". The company also promised to increase animal welfare checks and will no longer get dairy from farms that violate its animal abuse policy. Sour Milk | Successful Farming 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. Get the free daily newsletter read by industry experts. FAIR OAKS A second video has been released by undercover animal welfare investigators Friday afternoon, showing what the groups says is "an . The fifth person is a truck driver who works for a third party. Mike McCloskey, owner of Fair Oaks, released a video Thursday apologizing after an und The above suit has been transferred to the U.S. Northern District of Illinois courts and the case is ongoing. Green Matters is a registered trademark. It's located in Fair Oaks, Ind., just off I-65, about 109 miles north of Indianapolis and. Fairlife has invested more than $8 million over the past two years into animal welfare programs and oversight at its supplying farms, Lecas said. She is a graduate of Ball State University with a major in journalism and minor in anthropology. ", Anna Ortiz is the breaking news/crime reporter for The Times, covering crime, politics, courts and investigative news. The video circulating is from two years ago at one of our former supplying farms, Lisa Lecas, a Fairlife spokeswoman, said in an email Thursday. However, as I have stated before, the fact that ARM takes months before notifying owners or authorities regarding on-going animal abuse is concerning. Fair Oaks Farms reports no further incidents following reemergence of 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. https://t.co/iAybFVJeFg via @Change. In the wake of the first video being released, retailers including Jewel-Osco, Tonys Fresh Market, Casey's and Family Express have stopped selling Fairlife products. The dairy sector has seen its share of them. Time passed, and the product found its way back onto store shelves. It is with a heavy heart that I prepare this statement today. 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.. Fair Oaks Farm is located in Fair Oaks, right off Interstate 65. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. Pending orders of Fairlife products were suspended at Family Express, according to a news release issued by the company. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). Copyright 2023 Green Matters. Fair Oaks Farms is a museum, restaurant, gift shop and hotel built around a working dairy farm. "A full investigation of all aspects of the video is underway, during and after which disciplinary action will be taken, including termination and criminal prosecution, of any and all employees and managers who have violated either our animal care practices or the law or both," the statement reads. In a statement to Food Dive, Fairlife said animal welfare is and will always be a top priority." Fair Oaks Farms owner apologizes for abuse video, pledges changes He said on Friday, ARM will release another video he described as an hour and a half of consistent abuse.. "But Fairlifes and its founders 'promise' is a sham. "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. May 27 2021, Published 1:51 p.m. Pittsburgh woman missing for 31 years found alive in Puerto Rico, Alex Murdaugh found guilty of murders of wife and son. | 11 a.m. Fair Oaks Farms releases emotional response over abuse video. The cows shown in the video were not in federally inspected slaughter facilities and therefore not under USDA's authority, a spokesperson said. The form however, doesn't specifically define what constitutes abuse. Fairlife Dairy still under fire over alleged animal abuse after new Laws vary by state, but many, like Indiana, stipulate that dairy farms undergo a government-led inspection at least twice a year. 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. Our focus remains on looking forward and making progress in the actions weve outline to enhance training and education for our employees, and ensuring the highest standards of care and welfare for our animals. , Webinar Fair Oaks Farms said that people were harassing the business and its staff via phone calls, messages, social media and in person during deliveries. Yet many farmers argue that it's in their best interest to treat their animals humanely. Then I searched for news on this and was surprised it was from 2019. When it entered the national market in 2014, Fairlife quickly garnered a lot of attention for producing a milk with "superior nutrition." 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. tens of billions of dollars in subsidies to the animal agriculture industry, standard practice across the dairy industry. 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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. A man accused of abusing calves on the large northwestern Indiana farm has been sentenced to a year of probation after a felony charge was dropped. Until these things are in place, Fairlife said no dairy from the video will be used in its products. Mike McCloskey owns both Fairlife dairy products and Fair Oaks Farms. As a matter of routine and practice, Fairlifes cows are tortured, kicked, stomped on, body slammed, stabbed with steel rebar, thrown off the side of trucks, dragged through the dirt by their ears and left to die unattended in over 100-degree heat. No court records were available on the remaining defendants. In June 2019, ARM published a video (warning it's brutal) of the investigators most shocking footage, which quickly went viral. Farmers and ranchers . Fair Oaks Farm animal abuse: What we know - The Indianapolis Star "With recent events involving Fair Oaks Farms, Strack & Van Til will be removing all Fair Oaks and related products until further notice," he said. 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. In the wake of two videos being released showing animals being abused at Fair Oaks Farms in Indiana, Fairlife Dairy has issued multiple apologies following the controversy. Copyright 2023 Green Matters. If the Dairy Industry Was a Country, It Would Be One of the World's Biggest Emitters, Report Finds, Milk Sales Drop by More Than $1 Billion as Plant-Based Alternatives Take Off. 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. 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. With that said, I am disappointed to learn of potential drug use on our properties. 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. 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. The video was filmed by a member of Animal Recovery Mission, who got a job at Fair Oaks Farms and went undercover as an employee from August to November of last year, CBS Chicago reports. The Idaho native and University of Idaho grad has been with The Times since 2019. Cathy Siegner Months ago, the individual seen smoking by the barn and doing drugs in a truck was turned in by his co-workers to one of our managers. {{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, Crown Point schools release redistricting maps, 1 million-square-foot, 'once-in-a-lifetime building' walls erected in new business park, Passed-out motorist found with lit marijuana cigarette, Portage police say, Lake County investigators on scene of death investigation in Winfield, sheriff says, UPDATE: Lake Station police investigating possible homicide; suspect in custody, chief says, Man found dead from gunshot wound in Munster parking lot, coroner says, Kouts nurse practitioner found guilty of dodging federal payroll taxes, Lake Station man charged with murder in connection with deadly shooting, Riverfront district moves forward in St. John. Mike Withers has returned as president of Jewel-Osco after the last president stepped down after little more than a year in the job. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. A 64-ounce jug of Market Pantry (Target's brand) milk is $2.39. The minimizing of the graphic animal cruelty offers little assurance of change in a culture that is likely in need of fundamental retooling.". Fair Oaks Farms was a popular place Since opening as a tourist attraction in 2004, Fair Oaks Farms has been considered the "Disneyland" of dairy farms. 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. 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 boycott Fairlife, a Chicago-based premium milk brand. / CBS News. "I think people are starting to understand that and diving into the dairy issue for their own physical health, animal abuse and environmental impact. 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. 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. Operation Fair Oaks Farms Dairy Adventure | ARM Investigations We have been flooded with emails to ask if we are still undercover with the dairy industry and asking about Fair Oaks Farms. "We will work with the Newton County prosecutors office to file charges for any criminal activity the independent investigation revealed. Fairlife Milk: Why Animal Abuse Investigation Prompted Boycotts All Rights Reserved. The actions depicted on the Animal Recovery Mission video are unacceptable, a USDA spokesperson said. Several companies bought big into the once-promising segment, but the governmentsdecision not to permit the ingredient in food and beverages has left producers unwilling to invest further. Authorities have arrested one of the three men charged in connection with an animal cruelty investigation at Fair Oaks Farms in northwest Indiana, authorities announced Wednesday. The organization put out a few calls to action to people who were affected by the heartbreaking footage ARM asked people to sign its petition, to ask stores to stop carrying Fairlife, and to leave dairy products off their plates. Those found guilty of animal abuse usually face dual penalties of jail time and fines. Conventionally raised cows may spend the majority of their lives in pens or inside barns in cramped quarters. The Newton . Tony's Fresh Market, which has 15 stores across the Chicago area, said it would no longer carry Fairlife "in light of the devastating news story that broke about Fairlife and Fair Oaks Dairy Farm" and after customers voiced concerns. Yesterdays protest outside of @CocaCola headquarters in #Atlanta urging them to drop @Fairlife milk products following @ARMInvestigatios undercover expos of horrific #calf abuse. 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. A recent video shows abuse of animals located on one of the farm's properties. 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 Farm, an agritourism destination, is located in Fair Oaks, off Interstate 65 in Newton County. From February through April of 2019, an Animal Recovery Mission (ARM) activist got an undercover job milking cows at Fair Oaks Farms, which supplies milk to dairy companies including Fairlife (which is owned by the Coca-Cola Company, and provides milk to Chick-fil-A). The alleged abuse dates back to August 2018, when Animal Recovery Mission, a nonprofit animal welfare group based in Miami, planted an investigator as an undercover calf care employee at the Indiana farm. Those poor calves #boycottfairlife. One of those men has since been apprehended and arrested. The Animal Recovery Mission claimed Fair Oaks . On Monday, the Newton County Sheriff's Office announced that three people have been charged with animal cruelty. 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. As the larger dairy milk category has struggled, premium offerings have largely been a promising growth story. Fairlife is aware of the lawsuit and, in a statement provided to TODAY, said: "We are aware of the lawsuit and are reviewing it. On Wednesday it. CHICAGO At least eight federal lawsuits have been filed against Fairlife as a result of the alleged animal abuse at Fair Oaks Farms that came to light in early June, and the . So even though Fairlife claims to be making efforts to improve animal welfare and sustainability at its supplier farms, there is no way for consumers to truly monitor it; plus, exploitation of the cows reproductive system and eventual slaughter are both unavoidable in the dairy industry. Coworkers caught. Offers may be subject to change without notice. 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. Fairlife has not sourced milk from Fair Oaks since the 2019 incident, the brand said. 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. 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 farm, which still has a 4.5-star rating on TripAdvisor, welcomes about 500,000 visitors annually. However, the spokesperson said the USDA is aware of the video and allegations of animal cruelty must be taken seriously. Jewel-Osco is also dropping Fairlife from its more than 180 stores, including in Dyer, Chesterton and Munster. Family Express CEO and founder Gus Olympidis was honored for his distinguished 44-year career in the convenience store business. Let Food Dive's free newsletter keep you informed, straight from your inbox. As for the vet who Fairlife hired as Director of Animal Welfare and Sustainable Farming, theres no way she can observe the daily operations at all 30+ farms that supply milk to Fairlife. 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. Please enter valid email address to continue. Plaintiffs suing Fairlife seek class-action status for alleged animal The employees were fired and faced charges of animal abuse. This video and any future videos will be immediately handed over to the authorities for review and potential prosecution. 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. In the new statement issued Wednesday on the Fair Oaks Farms Facebook feed, the company acknowledged the brutal nature of some of the video captured on its property. What We Know About the Fair Oaks Farms Controversy The videos showed calves being kicked in the head and being struck with branding irons and iron rods, and dead calves were shown piled in the dirt. Video taken and posted by an animal rights group shows, among other things, dairy calves being body slammed and hit with various objects, including steel rods and branding irons. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. We immediately stopped accepting milk from them after learning about the incident and dont accept milk from them today.. Fair Oaks, she said, is no longer in its supply chain. We apologize for any inconvenience," spokeswoman Mary Frances Trucco told CBS Chicago in an email. 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. Richard Couto, 50, founder of Animal Recovery Mission, said the actions depicted at Fair Oaks shocked even their seasoned animal abuse investigators. "Weve always known that the better you treat an animal, the happier and more productive she is," Fair Oaks Farms founder and owner Mike McCloskey said in a 2015 article. We didn't spur it on but we are glad it happened. I have personally reached out to ARM's founder, Richard Couto, to discuss a more symbiotic relationship but he has yet to reach back. Fairlife said it hasimmediately suspend deliveries and will provide more animal welfare training for employees. Couto's Miami-based Animal Recovery Mission released video last week showing calves at Fair Oaks being thrown into their huts, hit and kicked in the head, dragged by the ears and burned with . Fortunately, there are endless options when it comes to non-dairy milk, chocolate milk, yogurt, protein shakes, and more. The impact of coronavirus and circumstances arising from 2019 have led to the termination of three major executive positions at Fair Oaks Farm. Calumet City mayor taken to hospital after 4-vehicle crash, COVID-19, fallout from animal abuse charges lead to departure of 3 executives at Fair Oaks Farms, document says, New lawsuit filed against Fair Oaks Farms, Ex-Fair Oaks Farms worker gets probation for abusing calves, Plaintiffs suing Fairlife seek class-action status for alleged animal abuse at Fair Oaks Farms, Man accused of abuse at Fair Oaks Farms in ICE custody, police say, Animal welfare group calls claims of investigators encouraging abuse at Fair Oaks Farms 'incredibly false', Moscow reportedly threatened new parents in Ukraine: Register your newborns as Russian or else, The impact of climate change will be felt worse in these three U.S. cities, Scientists reveal hidden corridor in Great Pyramid of Giza, Greece train crash: Public anger grows as death toll rises. Does Fairlife publicize the audit? Footage shows Fair Oaks Farms workers dragging calves by their ears, throwing them into small plastic enclosures and hitting them with milk bottles. He said some people have recently reached out to him asking if they can feel better about purchasing products from the company since the announcement from McCloskey about changes instated for animal welfare. He also observed that immediately after giving birth, mother cows were separated from their newborn calves, who were placed into confined sheds, while the mothers were sent right back to the milking rotary, sometimes with their placentas still hanging out of their bodies. In addition to the state's laws, the board refers to FARM when it comes to industry standards for handling and care. A cemetery posted a personal ad for a goose whose mate died. A full investigation of all aspects of the video is underway, during and after which disciplinary action will be taken, including termination and criminal prosecution, of any and all employees and managers who have violated either our animal care practices or the law or both. Nearly 50,000 people read a 2-year-old Chicago Tribune story on the alleged animal abuse at Fair Oaks over two days. While we were made aware a couple months ago of the fact that ARM had gone undercover at Fair Oaks Farms, and had proactively made a statement, we had no idea what kind of footage had been captured or what if any abuse had occurred. Fair Oaks Farms is based in Fair Oaks, Indiana. Lawsuits are a part of the regular course of business in today's food and beverage industry. Of the five, four were our employees and one was a 3rd party truck driver who was picking up calves. One cup of Fairlife 2% milk has 120 calories, 6 grams of sugar, 4.5 grams of fat, 13 grams of protein and 40% of the daily recommended amount of calcium. "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.
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