Viral Claim That Bovaer Is Toxic Chemical Used to Poison Cows Is Misleading

A viral claim circulating on social media alleges that Bovaer is a toxic chemical being forced on farmers globally to poison cows and destroy the food supply. The posts have gained significant traction. However, upon verification, this claim is misleading.

Social Media Posts

Social media posts claim that Bovaer is a “toxic chemical” used to harm cattle and reduce methane emissions from cows.

Source | Archive

Source | Archive

Fact Check

What is Bovaer?

Bovaer is a feed additive created by DSM-Firmenich to help reduce methane emissions from cattle. It works through an active ingredient called 3-nitrooxypropanol (3-NOP), which temporarily blocks a specific enzyme in the cow’s stomach that produces methane during digestion. The product has been extensively studied for over 15 years and received approval from major regulatory bodies, including the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the UK Food Standards Agency (FSA). It is now approved for optional use in more than 70 countries worldwide.

(Sources: EFSA Journal (2021), FDA Approval Notice (2024), UK FSA Blog (2024))

Danish Farmer Reports and Manufacturer Response

All major food safety agencies have concluded that Bovaer is safe for dairy cows when used at approved doses. Reports of cattle illness came from Denmark in 2025, after the government mandated that large farms adopt a methane-reducing measure (either Bovaer or feed fat). Around 200 Danish farmers claimed that Bovaer caused health issues in cows, including fever, diarrhea, and reduced milk output.

The manufacturer, DSM-Firmenich, stated that “animal welfare is our highest priority” and confirmed that approximately 1,400 Danish farms are currently using Bovaer, acknowledging that a small number of these farmers have recently reported concerns about cow health. They emphasised they are “actively engaging with the relevant organisations to ensure that all these concerns are fully investigated and properly addressed,” and noted that in previously reported cases Bovaer “was not identified as a contributing factor” to the health issues. The company reaffirmed that Bovaer is a “proven, effective and safe solution” with over three years of commercial use across more than 25 countries and regulatory approval in 70 countries, including the US, EU and Switzerland.

(Source: Farmers Weekly, BBC, Elanco Press Release)

Independent and Animal Welfare Perspectives

While the company maintains that Bovaer is safe and continues to cooperate with Danish authorities, independent researchers and agricultural organizations have also responded to public concern.

The Danish Agriculture & Food Council (DAFC) acknowledged that some dairy farmers had reported issues but stressed that no controlled research or field studies had shown such effects:

“We are familiar with some cases where dairy farmers report problems after starting using Bovaer. This is obviously of great concern to us. Animal welfare must not be compromised. At the same time, we are surprised, since no research or large-scale trials have indicated problems.” (Source)

In response to growing attention, Aarhus University launched a new scientific study to directly assess whether the feed additive impacts animal health and welfare:

“A new project has been initiated to investigate whether the feed additive Bovaer affects dairy cows’ welfare. In previous studies, a reduction in feed intake has been observed, which may indicate an impact on animal welfare.” (Source)

Meanwhile, experts cited by the Science Media Centre (UK) reiterated that there is no evidence of risk to animals or humans when used as approved:

“Tests have been done on the milk of animals receiving 3-NOP and no metabolites were detected. There is no evidence to suggest that at the doses approved for use in animals, the additive is a risk to humans through milk consumption.” (Source)

Is Bovaer Safe for Cattle and Human Consumption?

Bovaer is designed to reduce methane emissions from cattle, not to harm animals or compromise food safety. Scientific studies show that its active ingredient, 3-NOP, breaks down in the cow’s stomach and does not enter milk or meat. Research by the EFSA and FSA has found no chemical residues in dairy products, meaning milk from Bovaer-fed cows is safe to drink.

While some Danish farmers have reported lower milk production, ongoing investigations have found no link to contamination or toxic effects. There is no evidence that Bovaer harms the food supply or poses health risks to people.

(Source: UK Food Standards Agency, Science Media Centre , The Bullvine, Global Agriculture)

Conclusion

The claim that Bovaer is a toxic chemical being forced on farmers to poison cows and destroy the food supply is misleading. Bovaer is an approved feed additive designed to reduce methane emissions, and it is not mandatory in most countries. While some Danish farmers have reported health issues in cattle, investigations are ongoing and no causal link has been confirmed. Regulatory agencies including the EFSA, FDA, and FSA have determined that Bovaer is safe for use in dairy cattle, with no residues detected in milk or meat.