Summary:
Current trials show no detectable bromoform residues in meat or milk at target doses.
A study published in the American Journal of Plant Sciences “Productivity of Commercial Feedlot Beef Production Significantly Improved by Asparagopsis Bioactives Stabilized in Canola Oil,” in 2024 provides further evidence as it pertains to the safety of bromoform to both humans and cattle/cows.
In this study of 300 cattle, half were fed Asparagopsis bioactive compounds stabilized in canola oil (Asp-Oil), while the remaining half were untreated. The active ingredient in Asparagopsis is bromoform.
While the study recorded successful methane reduction (58%-98% across 15 pens of 10 cattle each), it also provided important information about residues, and therefore animal and human safety.
Are bromoform residues in meat? One public concern is whether bromoform (or its breakdown products) might remain in meat, organs, or other edible tissues — thereby exposing consumers to the compound. The study tackled that question directly, while also evaluating animal health, production, and methane suppression. The results are reassuring. The authors state plainly: “Residues of Asparagopsis bromoform [CHBr₃] were not detected in any sample …” So, in the words of the scientists conducting the trial, the absence of detectable bromoform in edible tissues offers an important safety signal: the feed additive did not lead to accumulation of bromoform in the tissue or organs. What this means for cattle (cows) and people The study also monitored health indicators, pathology results and rumen function of the cows and found no negative effect attributable to the additive under the conditions tested. The cows developed normally, and meat quality was unaffected. From the human perspective, the fact that bromoform was undetectable indicates that use of bromoform is unlikely in these conditions, to pose a risk to consumers. In other words: no ‘leftover’ bromoform was detected in meat or any other edible tissue. Bottom line for people
The evidence from this trial indicates that feeding cattle an additive containing bromoform does not result in detectable levels of the compound in meat, but it does effectively reduce methane emissions from cows. While more research and regulatory review is continuing, this is an encouraging result: bromoform is a
promising tool to reduce cattle methane emissions without compromising food safety for consumers.
FAQs
Do Rumin8 products affect animal health?
To date, in more than 30 trials that have studied bromoform in cows, we have not seen evidence that there are animal welfare or human food safety concerns at our target doses. Animal health and welfare is monitored in every trial Rumin8 conducts.
Is bromoform used in cattle feed safe?
To date, we have not seen any data that indicates there are animal safety or human food safety concerns at our target doses. We are currently running trials to establish the safety of our products, and these are not yet complete.
Bromoform degrades rapidly in the cow’s rumen within about 3 hours. Rumin8 tests for bromoform residues in every trial. To date, all samples tested have yielded nil residues in meat, fat, blood and body organs, such as liver, kidney and spleen.
Do Rumin8 products reduce or affect cattle feed intake?
No – actually, we are seeing interesting trends towards an increase in average daily weight gain in our animal trials. Methane inhibiting products that also increase animal weight gains have the potential to fundamentally change the economics of for the farmer for the better – both increasing profitability and sustainability. Rumin8 will continue to collect data in this space.
We are targeting a product profile that can reduce methane production, as well as maintain or increase cattle weight gains at a price that improves the profitability of the farmer’s overall business.