Outraged Australians are vowing to boycott Coles over the supermarket’s use of a controversial feed supplement aimed at cutting greenhouse gases.
Coles announced in November 2023 that some beef suppliers would expand the use of Bovaer in cattle feed after two studies found the supplement reduced methane emissions by ‘at least 50 per cent’.
Beef sold in Coles’ general range does not come from cattle fed Bovaer; the supplement is exclusively used for the premium product line ‘Finest Carbon Neutral’.
Bovaer is fed to cows to suppress an enzyme that causes the production of methane, a gas that contributes to climate change.
The methane supplement is made from silicon dioxide, propylene glycol and the organic compound 3-nitrooxypropanol (known as 3-NOP).
There is no evidence that the drug, produced by Swiss-Dutch manufacturer DSM-Firmenich, is unsafe for consumers, or that it passes 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 Daily Mail that customers have nothing to worry about and that concerns about the risk of cancer 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 it was selling ‘whole fart milk’ from cows not fed Bovaer feed, while Norco also confirmed it was not using the supplement.
Coles expanded use of the drug in November 2023 after research showed it reduced methane emissions
The supplement is used exclusively for Coles’ premium ‘Finest Carbon Neutral’ range of beef
“At Norco, we pride ourselves on making high-quality, natural dairy products,” the report said.
Outspoken anti-vaxxer and former federal politician Craig Kelly praised dairy companies for not using the supplement.
“Good job Norco, listening to the crowd,” he said.
‘We don’t want to drink milk from cows that have been 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 fellow critics of the supplement responded to Mr. Kelly’s post.
“I don’t want anything to do with Bovaer, and we can all vote with our choices. Hopefully Coles will learn a very bad lesson from this,” one person said.
A second added: ‘Coles doesn’t sell anything you can’t get elsewhere. They will never get another cent from me. I have been a loyal Coles shopper for thirty years.”
‘A large group of your customers do not want to eat food that you have tampered with. We just want 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 the enzyme in cows that produces the greenhouse gas methane
Coles has responded to the backlash, telling 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 and approved over the past 15 years by leading food safety organisations, including Food Standards Agency UK and the European Food Safety Authority.’
In Britain, customers are also threatening to boycott Danish firm Arla – which owns Britain’s largest dairy conglomerate – over its use of the drug.
Major supermarkets Tesco and Asda are among the stores stocking Arla milk.
Arla fired back at what it called “misinformation” surrounding 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 Britain there was confusion between Bovaer and the Rumin 8 company that had benefited from Gates’ investment.
Bovaer is approved for use in dozens of countries, including Australia and Great Britain.