Two consumers have filed a putative class action against dairy cooperative Darigold Inc., a subsidiary of Northwest Dairy Association, for false advertising and fraud by concealment, alleging that the company misrepresented the conditions in which its milk is produced. Ruiz v. Darigold Inc., No. 14-2054 (N.D. Cal., May 5, 2014). Yesenia Ruiz and Fernando Dorantes argue that they would not have purchased Darigold’s products if they had known about the purportedly poor conditions in which its employees work and its cows are milked. According to the complaint, Darigold employees are denied drinkable water, break periods and lunch rooms, and some of its cows are sick and injured but are milked anyway. The plaintiffs also assert claims under California’s Unfair Competition Law; the unjust enrichment laws of California, Washington and Oregon; Washington’s Consumer Protection Act; and Oregon’s Unlawful Trade Practices Act.

 

Issue 523

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For decades, manufacturers, distributors and retailers at every link in the food chain have come to Shook, Hardy & Bacon to partner with a legal team that understands the issues they face in today's evolving food production industry. Shook attorneys work with some of the world's largest food, beverage and agribusiness companies to establish preventative measures, conduct internal audits, develop public relations strategies, and advance tort reform initiatives.

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