Natalie Louise Burrows, Nutritionist and Clinic Director at Integral Wellness
In November 2024, a major announcement made headlines in the UK—Bovaer, a food additive designed to reduce cow methane emissions, was set to be trialled in dairy farming.
Arla, one of the UK’s largest dairy cooperatives, launched the project in partnership with Morrisons, Aldi, and Tesco as part of their commitment to reducing their climate impact. They were “extremely excited” about the initiative, expecting it to be seen as a positive step toward sustainability.
However, the response from consumers has been anything but enthusiastic. With growing concerns about food transparency—ranging from ultra-processed products to pesticide use—many are questioning what’s really going into their food.
Arla, the Bovaer manufacturer, and the UK Government insist that the additive has been rigorously tested and approved as safe. But what does the evidence actually say?
Let’s take a closer look at what we know, acknowledge what we don’t, and keep an open mind as more data emerges from this trial.
What is methane, and why do cows produce it?
Let’s get to the heart of why this food additive is being introduced—methane emissions from cows. And yes, while some come from the rear, most of it is burped out.
Cows are ruminants with a unique digestive system that allows them to break down fibrous plant material efficiently. Their four-compartment stomachs contain bacteria, protozoa, and fungi that help ferment their food. When cows "chew the cud" (regurgitate and re-chew their food), this process produces methane—a natural byproduct of digestion. The amount of methane released depends on factors like diet, fermentation levels, and gut bacteria.
(For the record, humans can also produce methane—especially if there’s an overgrowth of methane-producing gut bacteria. Symptoms like bloating, gas, constipation, and even bad breath can be clues!)
This methane production is central to the debate on cows and climate change. However, their role in the ecosystem goes beyond emissions. When farmed regeneratively, cows can contribute positively to soil health, biodiversity, and even carbon sequestration (1,2,3)—potentially making their overall impact carbon-neutral or carbon-negative.
Back to Bovaer.
What we know about Bovaer
Bovaer is a brand name. The chemical compound name is 3-Nitrooxypropanol (3-NOP).
3-Nitrooxypropanol deactivates a digestive enzyme, inhibiting the conversion to methane by 26%.
When methane from cows is seen as a key contributor to climate change, you can understand why they are looking for a compound to reduce methane production. But what does this do to dairy and meat?
According to the FCA, Bovaer is considered safe for cows, the environment, and meat and dairy consumers. Concerns about potential cancer risks emerged when rats were given a dose of 300mg/kg per day. However, no conclusive issues were found in the lower-dose groups (100mg/kg and 200mg/kg), which helped determine the approved limit of 200mg per kilogram of dry feed per day.
What about the safety of those handling it? The guidelines recommend protective clothing, eyewear, and caution when inhaling, as it can cause skin irritation and toxicity. Make of that what you will.
Does Bovaer end up in dairy products and beef?
This is the main crux of the problem. In a world where people are becoming tired of their food not being real food anymore, the demand for transparency about what goes on behind the scenes is a demand the food manufacturers and farmers cannot escape.
The FSA, NFU, the government, and Arla all confirm that dairy and meat from Bovaer-fed cows are safe to eat because the cows metabolise the additive and don’t pass it into the milk or meat.
However… I am searching high and low for the original research that concludes this but it’s not easy to find. None of the statements link to the research, and FSA’s record doesn’t mention the end-product research. (If you find it, send it over.)
So, for now, I can only conclude that more research is needed. But this brings a risk: Are we becoming guinea pigs in the name of science? We’ve all heard of things that were once considered “safe” but later had serious consequences. It’s no wonder that people are feeling cautious. Ultimately, it is a personal decision whether you want to accept Bovaer-fed dairy and beef, or not.
Will products be clearly labelled if Bovaer has been used?
At the moment, the answer to this is no. There is no regulation requiring a feed additive for an animal to be labelled in the end product where the product is not known to transfer to the food.
How do I avoid Bovaer in my dairy and meat?
There have been a lot of questions about avoiding Bovaer, partly due to concerns about human health and partly due to growing frustration. People are fed up with their food being “messed with” and wish to protest with their wallets.
One thing is certain: organic meat and dairy products cannot contain Bovaer. The Soil Association has confirmed this, and you can read their statement here.
Arla does support some organic farms, particularly during the final stages of dairy production (like with Yeo Valley Organic Butter). However, this is often because these farms lack the equipment to process everything themselves.
But organic means organic.
So, if avoiding Bovaer is your preference, you can make a quick decision by choosing organic. Yeo Valley Organic, Graham’s Organic, The Estate Dairy, Freshways, and SuperNutrio are all Bovaer-free; we’ve checked in with them to be sure.
Additionally, here are some other steps you can take:
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Speak to your local farmers and butchers about the origin and feed of their meat and dairy. They should care and will love it if you do, too. If they don’t, and you’re not satisfied with the answers you’re getting, that might just be the best conversation you’ve had.
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Check out online butchers who support regenerative, organic, British farming practices, such as Pipers Farm, Swaledale, Riverford, Old Hall Farm, and Abel & Cole (there will be more; just ask to find out).
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Visit FullFartMilk.info, which has set up a UK-wide list of farms, suppliers, producers, and supermarkets selling dairy products. Via a traffic light system, you can get insight into which supply chains are not using, or maybe using, feed additives, such as Bovaer.
Remember, this is still a developing issue, so keep checking for new information to stay informed. We’ll do our best to keep you updated as well.
About the Author
Natalie Louise Burrows is a registered nutritional therapist (BANT, CNHC) and clinic director at Integral Wellness, a nutrition and health clinic specialising in cardiometabolic health.
Along with her clinic team of nutritionists, they help men and women regain their energy, control their cravings and avoid and reverse type 2 diabetes. They also address health conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, insulin resistance, fatty liver, and heart disease.
Click here to book a free call and find out how you can achieve your health goals.
