During a news conference in Chicago, activists from the group Mercy For Animals say the video was secretly recorded at the Bettencourt Dairies in dairy in Twin Falls County, Idaho.
The video shows violent, prolonged beatings of the cows. Sick or injured animals can be seen with open wounds and broken bones.
As a result of the video three workers have been charged with animal cruelty.
A statement from Bettencourt Dairies said it's appalled by the video and that five employees have been fired as a result. Security cameras were installed at the plant and all employees were asked to agree to a zero tolerance policy for animal abuse in its dairies.
Mercy For Animals says the group is working with Kraft to eliminate such abuse, including cutting ties with the dairy.
In a statement, Kraft said, "It is important to note that Kraft does not have direct supplier relationship with Bettencourt Dairies. Bettencourt provides milk to Davisco, a cheese processor for Kraft. Kraft does not supply directly from Bettencourt."
Kraft also said, "Our dairy suppliers must meet or exceed the animal care guidelines in the National Milk Producers Federation’s National Dairy FARM Program and the Dairy CARES initiative. Both were developed with animal welfare experts."
A spokesman for Wendy's tells the Associated Press that while Bettencourt Dairies is not a direct supplier of Wendy’s, they do sell milk to a cheese processing company, who then sells on to one of the fast-food chain's direct suppliers.
'We have instructed Wendy’s supplier to disassociate with Bettencourt immediately,' said the Wendy's spokesman.
A spokesperson for Burger King tells the Associated Press, "Burger King Worldwide has launched an immediate investigation into this serious allegation and will take swift action if there is evidence of systemic violations to our animal welfare policies or vendor code of ethics."
Nathan Runkle, the executive director of Mercy for Animals, said those steps amount to "too little too late." He hopes the video will convince Kraft Foods, Wendy's and Burger King to stop using milk from the Idaho company and send a "clear message to the industry that animal abuse will not be tolerated."
