Arla Foods' 'Bovaer' cancer claims - experts' verdict on Tesco, Morrisons and Aldi milk

Shoppers have threatened to boycott Tesco, Morrisons and Aldi over fears that milk at the supermarkets could soon contain an additive called Bovaer which is claimed to have links to cancer

Experts have responded to fears that milk sold at major UK supermarkets could soon be ‘contaminated' with an additive linked to cancer.

Shoppers have reacted angrily and threatened to boycott dairy products made by Danish firm Arla and sold in chains Tesco, Morrisons and Aldi due to a trial involving giving a feed additive called Bovaer given to cows.

Arla Foods has revealed that some of its farmers will be testing the new ingredient in their dairy cows' feed, designed to reduce the amount of methane the animals produce when they pass wind.

The additive works by inhibiting an enzyme in the cows’ stomach that produces methane and is approved for use in the UK, deemed safe for animals, producers and consumers.

This initiative aims to demonstrate how feed additives and supplements like Bovaer can be incorporated into the regular feeding routine of dairy cows. The project will involve around 30 of Arla’s farmer owners, providing a practical understanding of how to use these additives on a large scale and their impact on farming operations.

The renowned dairy brand is using this trial as one of the initial steps in its FarmAhead Customer Partnership, a programme aimed at ensuring the sustainability of the dairy industry by reducing its carbon footprint. But with plenty of claims that the additive can cause fertility issues and cancer, experts have said that there is no reason for concern.

“Additives used in farming must undergo rigorous testing by food safety authorities both in the UK and in Europe in order to be permitted for use,” Professor Gunter Kuhnle, nutrition expert at the University of Reading, told the Mail. “If something is in use by a major brand you can generally trust that it is perfectly safe for consumption.”

And Rob Hobson, a registered nutritionist, also said that if Bovaer had been approved by UK and European regulators then there is no reason to worry. “They’re not going to allow something to be used if it’s not passed safety standards,” he told the outlet.

Bovaer is reported to cut methane emissions from cows by approximately 27% on average, and this pioneering trial will see farmers across the food industry using the additive in their efforts to reduce methane emissions.