By EMILY STEARN, SENIOR HEALTH REPORTER and JOHN ELY DEPUTY HEALTH EDITOR FOR MAILONLINE
Furious Brits have vowed to boycott more than a dozen of the UK's best-known brands over fears that certain dairy products are 'contaminated' with an additive linked to cancer. Shoppers say they will avoid milks and butters made by Danish firm Arla after the company announced a trial involving giving a feed supplement called Bovaer to its cows.
Bovaer, which will be introduced to cattle's food, is designed to reduce the amount of methane they produce in digestion, a gas that contributes to climate change. It has been declared a safe additive by both European and UK regulators as it doesn't transfer into milk.
However, social media is now awash with claims the additive can cause fertility issues and cancer. In one TikTok video seen thousands of times, one user pours her Arla milk down the sink, adding 'Arla not in my house'.
The viral list shared on X and Facebook warns customers against purchasing Arla and its sub-brands like Arla Cravendale, Arla BOB, Arla Protein, and Arla Lactofree. Artisanal cheese brand Castello, Apetina -- which sells white cheese and paneer -- and Arla Organic are others that make the blacklist.
Bovaer manufacturer Dsm-firmenich said the social media storm had led to 'mistruths and misinformation' about the feed. They assured that 'provided it is used as recommended', Bovaer 'never enters into milk and therefore does not reach consumers'.
A spokesperson for the UK Food Standards Agency also told MailOnline: 'Milk from cows given Bovaer is safe to drink.'
Reform MP for Great Yarmouth, Rupert Lowe waded in on the debate this afternoon, committing to the boycott of the products.
The full list of companies shoppers have threatened to boycott
Brands
- Arla Foods (including sub-brands such as Arla Cravendale, Arla BOB)
- Lurpak
- Anchor
- Castello
- Apetina
Brands who have partnerships with Arla Foods:
- Starbucks
- Yeo Valley
- Mcdonald's