Bovaer: What is livestock feed additive and why does it cause buyers to pour milk down the toilet?

Shoppers have threatened to boycott three major supermarkets over their participation in a new trial to add an anti-methane supplement to cows’ feed.

Arla Foods, owner of the UK’s largest dairy cooperative, announced on November 26 that it would begin using the supplement.

The initiative aims to combat methane emissions linked to global heating produced by cows during digestion.

Arla said it would work alongside Aldi, Morrisons and Tesco to test the use of the food additive known as Bovaer on 30 UK farms.

But the announcement has since been heavily criticized, with many British shoppers threatening to boycott the three supermarkets and Arla brands, particularly Lurpak butter.

Arla’s X-rated post announcing the trial was viewed more than five million times and received 13,000 comments.

Videos on TikTok also showed some people throwing pots of Lurpak in the trash, while others poured cartons of Arla Cravendale milk down the sink and down the toilet.

What is Bovaer?

Bovaer is a supplement added to livestock feed, according to DSM Firmenich, the Swiss-Dutch manufacturer that makes it.

It is designed to break down in the cow’s digestive system and quickly break down into “natural compounds already present in the rumen (part of the stomach) of a cow.”

Cows emit methane when they burp. Research suggests the additive can reduce methane emissions from cow digestion by an average of 27%.

Reducing methane is important because it is a greenhouse gas – contributing to global warming – and, according to the government, agriculture – including cow farming – contributed to 49% of all UK methane emissions in 2021, the latest year for which figures are available. available.

However, questions remain about the long-term effectiveness and impact of additives such as Bovaer on animal health and welfare.

Bovaer was authorized in the United Kingdom in December 2023, according to DSM, and is available for sale in 68 countries.

The company said that over the past decade, the additive has been part of more than “150 trials around the world, all of which have been published in more than 85 articles in peer-reviewed journals.”

Why did this provoke negative reactions?

Some critics have argued that Bovaer contains “toxic chemicals” that could harm both cows and farmers, including fertility problems, while others have argued that the product has not been adequately tested .

“We will no longer buy milk or dairy products from Morrisons, Aldi or Tesco. Ta ta,” one X user wrote under the Arla Foods post.

Another said: “I used to buy your products regularly (mainly protein shakes and yogurts), but I won’t until you stop using Bovaer.” I will also boycott Tesco, Morrisons and Aldi as long as they continue to play a role in this.”

While others seemed to imply that tech billionaire Bill Gates was involved in the lawsuit.

One person wrote: “We don’t want our food to go to waste. Read what’s happening in the room. Stop allowing Bill Gates to make it even richer and more powerful while using us, the consumers, like lab rats.”

Despite criticism, the Microsoft co-founder is not involved in the Arla trial, or Bovaer more broadly, but last year invested millions in a rival start-up, Rumin 8, which is developing supplements similar.

Is Bovaer safe to use?

Responding to the backlash, Arla said in a statement that a “significant amount of misinformation was circulating online” and that it felt “compelled to address this by clearly and openly stating the facts.”

Citing information from DSM Firmenich, Arla said Bovaer “is not transmitted to humans when they consume dairy products.”

He reiterated that Bovaer had been approved for use by both the European Food Safety Authority and the UK’s Food Standards Agency (FSA).

“Our commitment to reducing our climate impact is unwavering, but we will never do so in a way that puts the health of our consumers or the welfare of our animals at risk,” the company added.

An FSA spokesperson said: “Cow’s milk that has been given Bovaer, a food additive used to reduce methane emissions, is safe to drink. Bovaer has undergone rigorous safety assessments and is approved for use in Britain. »

A separate statement on the DSM Firmenich website said consumers are never exposed to Bovaer because it does not enter cow’s milk or meat.

Regarding the product’s safety data sheet, which advises users to wear masks and gloves when handling the additive, DSM said such procedures are “fairly common for dietary supplements” in order to “ensure that workers take appropriate measures.

The company said: “We believe in science and the power of evidence-based progress. That’s why our product has been extensively researched to ensure its health, safety and effectiveness, as confirmed by extensive checks and reviews by UK and EU food safety authorities. “.

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National Farmers’ Union dairy board chairman Paul Tompkins said that while FSA-approved products could be useful tools to help reduce methane emissions, “questions remain about their long-term effectiveness, their practical and effective use on farms and animal health. and well-being will not be affected.”

He said it was “essential” to have a strong evidence base to give farmers the confidence to use these products. He added that the trial between Arla, Morrisons, Aldi and Tesco “could help provide that evidence”.

Morrisons, Tesco and Aldi have been contacted by Sky News for comment.