Calves violently separated from their mothers, confined in tiny wooden crates, and subjected to relentless abuse by workers and managers.
In February, 2025, Animal Recovery Mission (ARM) exposed rampant animal cruelty and environmental violations at Butterfield Dairy and Rainbow Valley Dairy – two major suppliers of Coca-Cola’s fairlife milk outside of Phoenix, Arizona. Despite fairlife’s claims of humane sourcing, ARM’s investigation proves the corporation’s complicity in severe abuse.
Undercover Investigation Reveals Brutal Cruelty
Between July and December 2024, ARM operatives infiltrated these dairies as employees, capturing disturbing footage of:
- Workers punched, kicked, whipped, and dragged calves by their ears, tails, and legs, resulting in fractures, internal injuries, and painful deaths.
- Calves denied food, water, and medical care, left to suffer from fatal infections.
- In 135°F heat, calves collapsed from dehydration and exhaustion, left to die in filthy conditions.
At Butterfield Dairy, workers rough-housed confused newborn calves and shoved feeding tubes down their throats, leading to fatal internal injuries and trauma. Their carcasses were left scattered across the property or sent to a methane plant for fuel.
At Rainbow Valley Dairy, pregnant cows endured continual beatings, their tails broken, and electric prods used to force compliance. Managers botched euthanasia procedures, shooting cows in the neck and leaving them to suffer prolonged, agonizing deaths.
Environmental Infractions & Worker Misconduct
- Illegal disposal of animal carcasses threatens wildlife and contaminates local water sources.
- Leaking waste pits pose a serious risk to the environment and public drinking water.
- Rainbow Valley employees were documented operating heavy machinery under the influence of alcohol and illicit drugs, endangering both animals and public safety.
A Pattern of Abuse: The DeJong Family & Fairlife’s Broken Promises
Both dairies are owned and operated by the DeJong family. ARM’s 2019 dairy expose at Natural Prairie Dairy and Fair Oaks Farms exposed similar horrors, revealing Coca-Cola and fairlife’s direct ties to industrialized animal cruelty.
In response to public outrage, Coca-Cola pledged over $40 million in animal welfare reforms, promising audits, employee training, and video monitoring. However, ARM’s latest findings prove these measures were nothing more than corporate deception—systemic abuse persists.
Take Action: Demand Accountability
ARM demands immediate arrests of dairy owners, managers, and employees. All calves must be removed from inhumane enclosures. Coca-Cola and fairlife executives must be held accountable for their role in enabling this cruelty and for this ongoing atrocity.
Consumers have the power to demand real change. Boycott fairlife and Coca-Cola’s cruelty-ridden products and expose corporate lies.
Update:
The Maricopa Sheriff’s Office and the USDA are currently conducting their own investigations for arrests and accountability.
Fairlife has stated it has cut ties with the Rainbow Valley and Butterfield Dairy, however ARM will monitor this to ensure this continues.
A civil action lawsuit has been filed against fairlife, Click to view.
We will update this page once this investigation develops and arrests are made.
Read ARM’s detailed reports of Rainbow Valley Dairy and Butterfield Dairy.
Take the pledge to hold Coca-Cola’s fairlife brand accountable.
Case 1
Rainbow Valley Dairy
Follow a manual added linkOperation
Operation
Photos
Follow a manual added linkUndercover
Undercover
Footage
Case 2
Butterfield Dairy
Follow a manual added linkOperation
Operation
Photos
Follow a manual added linkUndercover