Tesco, Aldi and Morrisons face boycott over controversial ingredient in major dairy brand

Consumers may soon decide to avoid three major supermarket chains due to worries about an additive that is set to be tested on cows supplying milk for a well-known dairy brand.

Morrisons, Aldi, and Tesco all carry items from the dairy powerhouse Arla, such as Lurpak butter and Cravendale milk. They are also preparing to test products from cows that have been fed Bovaer.

Bovaer is an additive for cattle feed designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions produced by cows.

Methane is a potent greenhouse gas released by cows when they fart and burp, and it is 28 times more powerful than carbon dioxide in terms of its impact on climate change. This makes it a major contributor to global warming.

Despite the UK Food Standards Agency giving its approval for Bovaer and affirming its safety for consumers, many customers are angry following Arla's announcement that it will test the additive on 30 farms.

Arla posted on X: "Bovaer can lower cow emissions by 27%, offering a fantastic opportunity to cut down emissions on farms."

The post on X received more than 13,000 responses, with many shoppers criticizing the trial as "crazy."

A user commented: "I choose not to support Arla products or the supermarkets mentioned from now on."

Another commenter stated, "I won’t be purchasing your products anymore. What are the long-term health impacts of this? What exactly is Bovaer? What ingredients does it contain? Don’t your customers deserve a choice?"

Arla has stated that the controversy involves some inaccuracies, including claims that Bill Gates is gaining from the Bovaer testing on farms.

Bill Gates isn't connected to the additive itself, but he has put millions of dollars into Rumin 8, a company that focuses on creating products aimed at reducing methane emissions.

A representative from Arla informed Metro, “The claims circulating online about our association with Bill Gates and the safety of the Bovaer feed additive are entirely untrue. The health and safety of our consumers and animals is our top priority, and Arla would never jeopardize the quality or high standards of the milk we produce.”

Bovaer has been widely and safely utilized throughout Europe. Throughout the trial, it won’t affect the milk at all because it doesn’t transfer from the cow to the milk.

Regulatory organizations like the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the UK Food Standards Agency have endorsed its use after reviewing evidence that shows it does not harm animals or adversely affect their health, productivity, or the quality of milk.

Countries Where Bovaer Is Approved For Use

In May 2024, the United States gave the green light for the use of Bovaer, and shortly after, Canada did the same.

In 2021, Brazil and Chile gave the green light for its usage in cattle, sheep, and goats.

The EU has also authorized its use specifically for dairy cows.

Bovaer is already being utilized in various countries, and Paul Tompkins, the Chairman of the National Farmers’ Union Dairy Board, mentioned earlier this week that the trial involving Morrisons, Aldi, and Tesco might help farmers feel more assured about the product.

"Although products that have received approval from the FSA can be valuable in lowering methane emissions, there are still uncertainties regarding their effectiveness over time, their practical application on farms, and the potential effects on animal health and welfare," he stated.

Research from Defra indicates that consumers are generally supportive of products that reduce methane emissions, provided they don't harm human or animal health. It's essential to establish a robust foundation of evidence to assure farmers that these products are safe and beneficial for use.

Morrisons, Aldi, and Tesco stated: "By working together within Arla’s FarmAhead Customer Partnership, we can tackle some of the environmental issues affecting our food supply. This united effort is what will truly bring about positive change."

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