Boycotts of a bovine methane-reduction supplement are underway over safety concerns. The protests come as Arla Foods, a major supplier of British supermarkets, launched a trial of Bovaer, the bovine supplement.
American Faith reported that the supplement was approved by the FDA in May. Bovaer aims to reduce cows’ methane emissions by 30%.
“We have committed to reduce our emissions. We would like our farmers to continue to produce healthy nutritious food. Bovaer is one of our levers,” U.K. Managing Direct of Arla Food Bas Padberg said, as reported by The London Times. Padberg said that while the supplement is used in other countries, it has not received the widespread backlash as in the U.K.
Great Yarmouth Member of Parliament for Reform U.K. Rupert Lowe is participating in the supplement’s boycott.
“I won’t be consuming anything containing Bovaer,” he wrote on X. “I’ve requested that DEFRA undertakes an urgent review of its use in our food system.”
The Daily Mail reported that the supplement is made of “silicon dioxide, propylene glycol and organic compound 3-nitrooxypropanol which is known as 3-nitrooxypropanol or shortened to 3-NOP.”
The FDA warned in a letter that 3-NOP is “not for human use.”
“Caution should be exercised when handling this product. 3-nitrooxypropanol may damage male fertility and reproductive organs, is potentially harmful when inhaled, and is a skin and eye irritant,” the FDA said. “Personal protective gear, including eye wear, a dust mask, and impervious gloves, should be worn when handling this product.”
Those familiar with the Bovaer breakdown process insist that after the 3-NOP compound is passed through the cow, it does not threaten humans as it is not found in the milk.
