Arla Bovaer® Statement & FAQs

Cows release methane as a byproduct of their digestive process, primarily through belching – and methane is a greenhouse gas that is more potent than carbon dioxide. 

As one of the world’s largest dairy producers, we have a responsibility to do our part in reducing our impact on the climate. Even by making small changes we have the power to make a significant global impact. 

Our UK project in partnership with leading retailers continues as planned, and explores the use of Bovaer® with herds of different sizes and production models. This information will help us understand how best our owners can use the product efficiently and effectively. 

The most important thing we can say here is that Bovaer® is not in any of our products as it does not get into the milk. 

No, we only label products with ingredients that are contained within the product. Bovaer® never enters the milk because it is broken down as a natural part of the cow’s digestion into compounds already found in the cow’s digestive system. 

DSM Firmenich - the manufacturers of Bovaer® - provides these facts about the product that's fully approved for use in the UK:

• Bovaer® does not filter through to humans when they consume dairy products. 

• Regulatory bodies, such as the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the UK Food Standards Agency have approved its use based on evidence that it does not harm the animals or negatively impact their health, productivity, or the quality of milk. A statement from the UK Food Standards Agency can be viewed here: Bovaer cow feed additive explained – Food Standards Agency

• Bovaer® has undergone extensive testing to ensure it is safe for cows and humans. 
• Bovaer® is specifically designed to break down in the cow's digestive system and quickly decomposes into naturally occurring compounds already present in the stomach of a cow. This means it does not pass from the cow into the milk. 
• Bovaer® has been worked on for 15 years, and is being used in approximately 29 countries across more than 200,000 cows
• In December 2023, Bovaer® was approved in the United Kingdom – it is currently approved for use in 68 countries
• You can read more about the Bovaer® product here, on the DSM Firmenich website, manufacturers of Bovaer® - dsm-firmenich-statement-bovaer-november-2024.pdf 

Please click here to find out more about Arla’s climate ambition to become net zero by 2025.