FAO raises food safety questions over Bovaer and crop inhibitors
26th January 2026
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has released a report into climate solutions that would help mitigate the environmental impact of agriculture, including the use of methane-reducing feed additives such as Bovaer.
The report called Environmental Inhibitors in Agrifood Systems – Considerations for Food Safety Risk Assessment outlines how regulators should evaluate whether these climate-targeting compounds might leave residues in meat, milk, or plant-based foods.
The researchers said that transforming agrifood systems to produce food sustainably is essential to reduce agriculture’s environmental impact and meet growing food demand.
This requires adopting practices that lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and improve fertiliser efficiency, such as helping nitrogen stay longer in the soil.
The guidance covers two key types of inhibitors. Methanogenesis inhibitors are administered to ruminant animals to lower methane emissions from digestion, while nitrogen inhibitors are applied to soils to boost fertiliser efficiency and cut nitrogen losses and nitrous oxide emissions from crops.
Environmental inhibitors reduce nitrogen loss and cut emissions like methane and nitrous oxide in livestock farming. While not yet widely used, they can improve nitrogen efficiency and help tackle climate change. Common types include nitrification, urease, and methanogenesis inhibitors.
However, the regulations vary; some countries treat them like pesticides or veterinary drugs with strict residue limits, while others classify them as feed or soil additives with minimal oversight.
For food safety, any residues in crops or animal products must be considered, even if the inhibitors are not applied directly to animals.
The role of methane-cutting feed additives
Methane-cutting feed additives, such as Bovaer, contain the active compound 3-nitrooxypropanol. In the UK and Europe, Arla has been testing Bovaer on farms as part of efforts to reduce the carbon footprint of milk production.
In its report, the FAO noted that any potential residue transfer into food must be carefully assessed to protect human health and prevent trade disruptions.
FAO has called for a more harmonised global approach, guided by scientific advice from international expert committees that inform the food safety standards of the Codex Alimentarius Commission.
READ MORE: Bovaer manufacturer responds to reports of cattle illnesses and deaths
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