The United Farm Workers issued the following news release: Citing deceptive business practices and consumer fraud, consumers filed a federal class action lawsuit against Darigold, an agricultural marketing cooperative that is one of the largest dairy producers in the country with more than 500 participating farms and total annual sales of almost $2 billion dollars.
In the filing, the plaintiffs claim Darigold fraudulently misrepresents the way its dairy members treat both animals and workers, in marketing materials and the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility Report.
The Law Offices of Marcos Camacho and Farmworker Justice are serving as co-counsel for the consumer plaintiffs.
Although Darigold publicly claims that their participating dairies ensure proper care for animal health, promote food safety and provide labor protections, the lawsuit claims Darigold knows its representations are false because of rampant labor and animal rights violations and poor working conditions on dairies. The filing states that Darigold officials know that milk is produced from injured and sick cows, that workers do not have access to drinkable water, sanitary lunch rooms or rest breaks, and that workers at member dairies claim on-going wage theft and workplace discrimination.
“For years, Darigold has held itself out to consumers as a socially responsible company, and for years customers have bought Darigold in reliance on those promises” said Mario Martinez, attorney with the Law Offices of Marcos Camacho. “But now that the company’s history of animal abuse and employment law violations have come to light, former Darigold customers are stepping forward to demand that Darigold live up to its own standards. Our clients have said enough is enough. Darigold must end its ongoing worker and animal abuses.” Workers and consumers will hold press conferences to announce the lawsuit and display pictures of abused cows this coming Thursday.
Source: TMC News
