Outraged Australians are vowing to boycott Coles over the supermarket’s use of a controversial livestock feed supplement that aims to reduce greenhouse gases.
Coles announced in November 2023 that some beef suppliers would expand their use of Bovaer in cattle feed, after two trials found the supplement reduced methane emissions by “at least 50 percent.”
The beef sold in the general Coles range is not produced from Bovaer-fed cattle; The supplement is used exclusively for the premium line of “Finest Carbon Neutral” products.
Bovaer is fed to cows to suppress an enzyme that causes the production of methane, a gas that contributes to climate change.
Methane supplement is made from silicon dioxide, propylene glycol, and the organic compound 3-nitrooxypropanol (known as 3-NOP).
There is no indication that the drug, produced by Swiss-Dutch manufacturer DSM-Firmenich, is unsafe for consumers or that it transfers into milk or meat.
However, social media is now awash with claims that the additive can cause fertility problems and cancer.
Experts have also told the Daily Mail that customers have nothing to worry about and that concerns about cancer risks are unfounded.
But many Australian conspiracy theorists remain suspicious, prompting dairy suppliers to reveal whether or not they use the additive.
Victorian farm Bass River Dairies announced on Tuesday that it was selling “whole milk” from cows that were not fed Bovaer, while Norco also confirmed it was not using the supplement.
Coles expanded use of the drug in November 2023 after trials found it reduced methane emissions.
The supplement is used exclusively for the premium Coles ‘Finest Carbon Neutral’ line of beef.
“At Norco we pride ourselves on making quality, natural dairy products,” he said.
Outspoken anti-vaccine and former federal politician Craig Kelly praised dairy companies that do not use the supplement.
“Well done, Norco, listening to the public,” Mr Kelly said.
‘We don’t want to drink milk from cows drugged with Bovaer.
“And we don’t want to eat meat from cattle drugged with Bovaer either, so all Coles meat is off the shopping list.”
Hundreds of the supplement’s fellow critics responded to Kelly’s post.
‘I don’t want to have anything to do with Bovaer and we can all vote with our elections. Let’s hope Coles learns a very unpleasant lesson from all this,” said one.
A second added: ‘Coles don’t sell anything you can’t get elsewhere. They will never get another penny from me. I have been a loyal Coles shopper for 30 years.’
‘A considerable group of your customers do not want to eat food that you have handled. All we want is healthy, natural food,” said a third.
Coles beef supplier Warren Barnett (pictured) has been using Bovaer on his New South Wales farm since May 2023.
Bovaer suppresses enzyme that produces methane, a greenhouse gas, in cows
Coles responded to the backlash and told customers the product is completely safe.
“Coles prioritizes food safety and animal welfare and we are committed to improving the sustainability of our business,” a spokesperson said.
“Bovaer has been extensively researched over the past 15 years and approved by leading food safety organisations, including the UK Food Standards Agency and the European Food Safety Authority.”
In the UK, customers are also threatening to boycott Danish firm Arla, which owns Britain’s largest dairy conglomerate, over its use of the drug.
Large supermarkets Tesco and Asda are among the stores selling Arla milk.
Arla responded to what she called “misinformation” about the additive on social media.
Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates invested millions in Rumin 8, a company developing similar methane-reducing supplements in early 2023, through his investment firm Breakthrough Energy Ventures.
In the United Kingdom there has been confusion between Bovaer and the company Rumin 8 that had benefited from Gates’ investment.
Bovaer is approved for use in dozens of countries, including Australia and the United Kingdom.