A major supermarket has insisted its supply chain does not use a controversial livestock additive, prompting customers to vow to boycott rival Coles.
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.”
But the use of the additive sparked a storm of controversy earlier this month after the UK’s largest dairy cooperative announced a trial with Bovaer.
Many conspiracy theories, often involving Bill Gates, have emerged online, claiming that it can cause cancer or affect fertility.
However, experts have previously told the Daily Mail that customers have nothing to worry about and that concerns about cancer risks are unfounded.
In the wake of the controversy, a social media user asked Aldi Australia if any livestock in its supply chain received the additive.
“We understand from our direct suppliers that Bovaer is not used within our meat or dairy supply chain in Australia,” the company responded in X.
An Aldi spokesperson said it was “committed to environmental sustainability and animal welfare, as well as ensuring the safety and health of our customers”.
In the wake of the controversy, a social media user asked Aldi Australia if any cattle in its supply chain received the additive (file image).
“We understand from our direct suppliers that Bovaer is not used within our meat or dairy supply chain in Australia,” the company responded in X (pictured).
“As a food retailer, we are aligned with decisions made by health regulators around the world on the safety of food additives,” the spokesperson added.
“Our commitment to product safety is unwavering and we ensure that all products meet our rigorous standards.”
It is understood that none of Woolworths’ livestock producers use Bovaer in their supply chain.
At Coles, the supplement is used exclusively for the supermarkets’ ‘Finest Carbon Neutral’ product line.
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.
Bovaer Senior Vice President Mark Van Nieuwland told the alphabet the product had been tested extensively and he called the conspiracy theories surrounding it “fake news.”
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.
“For example, European food standards authorities or UK food standards look at the evidence collected over the years and evaluate it independently,” he said.
“There’s even a public comment period on this, and then they come to a conclusion and everyone concluded that the product was safe.”
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 earlier this month that it was selling “whole milk” from cows that were not fed Bovaer, while Norco also confirmed it was not using the supplement.
“At Norco we pride ourselves on making quality, natural dairy products,” he said.
Craig Kelly, an outspoken anti-vaccine and former federal politician, praised dairy companies that do not use the supplement.
“Well done Norco, listening to the public,” he 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. “Hopefully Coles learns a very unpleasant lesson from all this,” one of them said.
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.’
Bovaer suppresses enzyme that produces methane, a greenhouse gas, in cows
Bovaer senior vice president Mark Van Nieuwland told ABC the product had been tested extensively and called conspiracy theories surrounding it “fake news” (pictured: a young woman buying meat at Coles).
‘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 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.