Bovaer cattle feed supplement to be reassessed by European Food Safety Authority

Review follows reporting by the Danish authorities of issues in dairy cows in late 2025

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has confirmed it is reassessing the safety of 3nitrooxypropanol (3 NOP), the active substance behind Bovaer, for dairy cows and cows for reproduction, following a request from the European Commission.

A public call has been launched for all potentially relevant available data.

After the call of data ends, the authority's experts will carefully evaluate all submissions to determine their relevance and significance for the ongoing assessment before reaching their conclusions.

This review follows reporting by the Danish authorities of issues in dairy cows in late 2025.

A spokesman for the European Food Safety Authority said: “This is a new assessment, separate from the previous assessment that informed the current authorisation of 3 NOP, and addresses specifically the safety for the target species.

“For the purpose, EFSA launched a public call for all potentially relevant available data (published, unpublished or newly generated data) and will deliver a scientific opinion on whether the current authorisation of 3 NOP still meets the safety conditions set by EU legislation.

“EFSA’s opinion will inform the European Commission’s decision on whether the authorisation of 3 NOP should be maintained, amended, suspended, or revoked.”

Dsm-firmenich, the company behind Bovaer, said it "welcomed" the announcement the European Food Safety Authority woild review the latest scientific data concerning Bovaer.

"In 2021, EFSA concluded that Bovaer is safe for dairy cows after reviewing a comprehensive dossier based on more than 10 years of research. EFSA confirmed that Bovaer is safe for dairy cows, farmers, consumers, and the environment when used as indicated, and that milk and meat from cows receiving Bovaer are safe to consume. 

"Bovaer was officially approved for use as a feed additive for dairy cows in 2022.  Since then, there has been significant additional research, including more than 55 peer-reviewed, published studies, all of which support the already extensive research previously considered by the EFSA to demonstrate that Bovaer is both safe and effective."

The majority (about 75%) of Danish farmers began using Bovaer in October 2025. This is the most problematic time of the year for routine health problems in dairy herds. Based on research in recent months, a spokesperson said dsm-firmenich’s expectation was that the issues raised would ultimately be shown to reflect a mix of seasonality, feed quality and disease.

The European Food Safety Authority’s conclusions are scheduled to be published by June 30 this year. The feed additive is still permitted to be used in the interim, as 3 NOP’s current authorisation remains valid.