Fairlife Milk Class Action Alleges ‘Horrendous’ Cow Abuse

A class action lawsuit claims that Coca-Cola and its milk brand Fairlife LLC subjects cows to “horrendous animal abuse.”

In early June, footage from Fairlife’s Fair Oak Farms in Indiana was released by the Animal Recovery Mission group.

The footage reportedly showed Fairlife cows being slapped, dragged, pushed, and otherwise abused at the flagship farm.

Fairlife milk is labeled with promises to consumers that they provide “extraordinary care and comfort for our cows” and even encourages their customers to visit their flagship farm “so you can see for yourself.”

Since the Animal Recovery Mission released the footage, Fairlife has allegedly cut ties with their former flagship farm.

However, plaintiff Eliana Salzhauer claims that she and other consumers were misled about the treatment of the cows – causing them financial damage when they purchased the milk products.

“Starting most egregiously with the name of defendants’ products, ‘Fairlife,’ and throughout the labeling and marketing of defendants’ products, the pervasive marketing scheme promises to reasonable consumers that the animals involved in producing the products are treated humanely,” the Fairlife milk class action lawsuit claims.

“[To] the contrary, defendants’ dairy cows are not treated ‘fairly’ at all. Rather, they are the victims of horrendous animal abuse.”

In her Fairlife class action lawsuit, Salzhauer also claims that she and other consumers were forced to “unknowingly contribute to and participate in the infliction of cruelty on the Fairlife cows” when they were deceived into purchasing the products.

Salzhauer’s Fairlife class action lawsuit includes claims of fraud, violation of Illinois consumer protection laws, violation of Florida consumer protection laws, and unjust enrichment.

In mid-June, two other plaintiffs filed a Fairlife class action lawsuit about the same cow abuse issue. This Fairlife class action lawsuit is centered in the Northern District of Illinois where the Illinois company is based. The plaintiffs similarly claim that the milk company misled consumers about the treatment of their cows.

Fairlife has reportedly responded to these allegations by rededicating itself to the fair treatment of cows. The company claims it will be increasing the frequency of its audits and will now be reviewing all 30 of their farms 24 times a year.

Employees at the farms will reportedly be recertified in animal welfare every year. The company will also be assembling an advisory council of “independent experts” to help “hold Fairlife and the dairy industry to a higher standard that reflects our true values,” according to a statement by Fairlife CEO Mike Saint John.

Salzhauer seeks to represent a Class of consumers who purchased Fairlife milk products. She also seeks to represent a subclass of Florida consumers who also purchased the Fairlife milk products.

The Fairlife class action lawsuit seeks damages, restitution, disgorgement, interest, injunctive relief, court costs, and attorneys’ fees.

Salzhauer and the proposed Class are represented by Kenneth S. Canfield of Doffermyre Shields Canfield & Knowles LLC; Adam J. Levitt, Amy E. Keller and Adam Prom of DiCello Levitt Gutzler LLC; Melissa S. Weiner, Joseph C. Bourne and Daniel L. Warshaw of Pearson Simon & Warshaw LLP; and Michael R. Reese, Sue J. Nam and Carlos F. Ramirez of Reese LLP.

The Fairlife Milk Cow Abuse Class Action Lawsuit is Salzhauer v. The Coca-Cola Company, et al., Case No. 1:19-­cv-02709, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia.

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