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Milk. It’s the ultimate childhood staple and for years, it’s been sold as the ultimate health food, packed with calcium for strong bones and teeth. But what if the milk in your fridge isn't as pure as you thought? Enter Bovaer® - a new, yet controversial ‘innovation’ in dairy farming that’s both raising eyebrows and concerns.
So, what’s the deal with Bovaer®, and should you be worried? Let’s break it down with what we know so far…
What is Bovaer® and why is it in our milk?
Bovaer® is a new additive in cow food, designed to reduce methane emissions from cows. Sounds like a step in the right direction, right? Climate change is one of the world’s biggest challenges, and agriculture definitely needs to do its part in cutting greenhouse gases.
Bovaer®, which contains the active ingredient 3-Nitrooxypropanol (3-NOP) alongside propylene glycol, is being touted as a breakthrough for sustainable farming. The idea is simple: by adding Bovaer® to cows' feed, farmers can reduce methane production – since cows burp and fart methane, a potent greenhouse gas. Bovaer® works by inhibiting an enzyme in the cow’s gut, reducing methane emissions by up to a seemingly impressive 27%.
The UK’s largest dairy cooperative, Arla, is currently trialling Bovaer® with major supermarkets like Tesco, Morrisons, and Aldi. But here's the thing – it’s not just milk that could be impacted. Bovaer® is being used in both dairy and beef production, so it's not only your daily cup of milk that might have it. There’s a lot of excitement about its potential environmental benefits, but this trial is also facing its fair share of controversy.
But is this really a win-win?
The hormonal connection: why you should care
This is where things get trickier. The potential impact of chemically altered dairy on our hormonal health is an issue that is barely being talked about. Hormones are delicate messengers that regulate everything from mood to metabolism, and they don’t appreciate interference.
Potential endocrine disruption: Introducing synthetic additives into the food chain can lead to hormonal imbalances. Some food additives mimic human hormones - especially oestrogen - disrupting normal functions. While producers claim that 3-NOP doesn’t transfer to milk as Bovaer is metabolised in the cow's stomach, can they really guarantee this? Without long-term studies to test its safety and not having full visibility over each farm's management system, we can’t know for sure. The effects of substances that seem harmless now might not show up for decades. Initial studies also suggest that Bovaer® is safe for cows in the short term, however we don't have enough information about the long-term effects of Bovaer® on cow health.
Additionally, Propylene glycol, commonly used as an additive in Bovaer® (and in antifreeze!), has raised concerns regarding its impact on hormonal health. While it's generally deemed safe in small amounts, it may interfere with hormone regulation, particularly thyroid and reproductive hormones. Long-term exposure to even low levels of this compound could potentially lead to hormonal imbalances, affecting bodily functions. It's crucial to be aware of its presence in food and animal feed, as it may contribute to subtle, long-term disruptions in hormone health.
Potential impact on fertility – are we playing with fire?
Some research has raised red flags about the possible effects of 3-NOP (Bovaer®) on male fertility. High doses of this compound have shown to cause reduced testicular weight, lower sperm count, and decreased sperm motility in animals. However, in the UK, it’s important to note that Bovaer® is used at a much lower end of the dose range approved by the Food Standards Agency (FSA), so the amounts involved seem to be far smaller than those used in the studies with concerning results.
Looking at the available research, the concentrations of 3-NOP used in the UK are unlikely to pose a significant fertility risk - given that the compound isn't easily absorbed into meat or milk - it’s important to ask: Are we truly in the clear? The science on this is still limited. We know that at higher doses, fertility is affected, but we don’t have enough long-term studies to say for sure what could happen over time.
Key points about 3-NOP and fertility:
Potential for male reproductive toxicity: Research on high doses of 3-NOP has shown that it can affect the male reproductive system, including shrinking testicles and decreasing sperm quality.
Regulation and safety concerns: Regulatory bodies, like the FDA, advise caution when handling pure 3-NOP due to its potential to cause reproductive harm at high doses. However, when used in livestock feed, the risks appear minimal - at least for now.
Livestock feed use: In the UK, Bovaer® is added at the lower end of the recommended dose range, which studies suggest doesn’t significantly affect fertility.
Mechanism of action: While the exact way 3-NOP might interfere with fertility isn’t fully understood, it’s believed to disrupt hormonal balance and interfere with cellular processes in the reproductive system.
Lack of data and long-term research
But even with these regulations in place, I can’t help but wonder - are we really certain it’s safe? We’re being asked to trust in an additive that’s still in the early stages of research and its development only started in 2010. As usual, there are no long-term studies to back up the safety of this chemical and it’s concerning that many safety trials for animals only lasted 56 to 90 days and involved very small sample sizes, with much of the research funded by the producers themselves. Without long-term studies, it makes me question: should we be taking such risks with something that could potentially affect our hormones and future generations?
A warning from the Food Standards Agency
What’s even more concerning is that the FSA (Food Standards Agency) has warned that 3-NOP "should be considered corrosive to the eye, a skin irritant, and potentially harmful if inhaled." This warning on the handling of pure 3-NOP is important, especially when considering that it's being used in livestock feed. If it's hazardous when handled in pure form, should we be so sure it's completely safe when introduced into the food chain, even at lower doses? 🤔
The chemical concerns
Personally, I’m also concerned about the inclusion of polyethylene glycol (PEG) in Bovaer®. Many people have sensitivities to this chemical, which makes it an unnecessary addition to a problem that might not even exist in the first place. And if handling 3-NOP requires wearing a personal protective dust suit and mask, eyewear and gloves, that can't be a good sign, right?
Will organic farms use Bovaer®?
Bovaer won’t be allowed in organic dairy products. In line with the Soil Association organic standards, all synthetic additives are prohibited unless they are proven to be safe and nutritionally beneficial - and Bovaer® doesn’t make the cut.
Who's on board?
Major suppliers and supermarkets that are trialling or adopting Bovaer® include Arla Foods, Müller, Marks & Spencer, Tesco, Morrisons, and Aldi. Many own-brand dairy and meat products from supermarkets could be sourced from farms using Bovaer®, even if it’s not explicitly stated. Always check labels and ask your suppliers for clarification. And it’s not just about milk; this applies to all dairy derivatives (like butter, cheese, whey protein and yogurt) and meat from dairy cattle.
Who's saying NO?
In the UK, several dairy producers and retailers have chosen not to participate in trials involving the feed additive Bovaer® including:
Animal welfare concerns
While Bovaer® may reduce methane emissions, it doesn’t address the deeper issue: the unsustainability and cruelty of factory farming. These farms often subject animals to poor living conditions, causing unnecessary stress and suffering, making them more vulnerable to disease. What’s more, factory farming is a huge contributor to environmental degradation. Introducing Bovaer® highlights the need for more ethical and sustainable farming practices that prioritise animal welfare and reduce the agricultural industry’s environmental footprint.
How to avoid Bovaer® in your diet
If you don’t want to be part of this grand food experiment, here’s how to avoid Bovaer®-laced dairy:
Go organic: Certified organic milk won’t contain Bovaer® since it doesn’t meet organic farming standards. Under Soil Association organic standards, Organic feed additives must be proven safe and beneficial for animals, and Bovaer® doesn’t meet those requirements.
Look for labels: Brands focused on natural farming will often state "Bovaer®-free" or "Produced without methane-reducing additives."
Support ethical dairy: Smaller, local, pasture-raised farms prioritise animal welfare and sustainable farming over quick-fix chemicals. Shop local or choose brands like Milk & More, who don’t source milk from farms using Bovaer®.
Explore dairy alternatives: If you're concerned about your morning latte, plant-based options like coconut, almond, or oat milk are great alternatives – just watch out for unnecessary additives such as carrageenan, gellan gum, lecithin or added sugars, (Plenish, Rude Health, or Califia Farms are some clean options).
Choose grass-fed and organic meat: Grass-fed meats are a great choice for those avoiding the industrial farming system.
Final thoughts
As a registered Nutritionist and women’s health specialist, I urge my clients to be vigilant and intentional about what they put into their bodies. We’re already surrounded by endocrine-disrupting chemicals, processed foods, and environmental toxins - do we really need to add chemically altered milk to that list?
Bovaer® may be sold as a climate change solution, but in reality, it’s a temporary fix that fails to address the deeper, more systemic problem of industrial dairy farming’s unsustainability. If we truly care about our health and the planet’s future, the answer isn’t more chemicals; it’s a return to farming practices that work with nature, not against it. As for Bovaer®?
Until there’s robust, long-term research on its safety, I’ll personally be opting out.
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