Dairy demand surges amid additive concerns

An organic dairy has reported a 700 per cent increase in doorstep delivery enquiries following public concern over an additive used by a major dairy supplier.

Acorn Dairy, based in Archdeacon Newton, near Darlington, has seen a wave of applications since Arla, the company behind brands such as Lurpak and Anchor, announced trials of Bovaer, a supplement designed to reduce methane emissions in cows.

While regulators have deemed Bovaer safe, customers have raised concerns about its potential health risks.

Established in 2000 by Graham Tweddle and sister Caroline Bell, the award-winning Acorn Dairy produces organic milk, cream and butter certified by the Soil Association.

Its cows are fed a natural, organic diet without routine antibiotics, and the land is managed without chemical fertilisers.

Caroline said: “Since the Bovaer story broke, our phone and website have been bombarded with messages from customers across the North East looking for reassurance they are consuming a safe and natural food.

“From a survey of our long-standing customers, we know most turn to our organic milk not just because they are concerned for the environment, but equally because they want clean, natural foods for their families.

“With us, they know who and how their milk, which they consume every day, is being produced.”

Graham, while acknowledging the difficulties of the past week, is committed to meeting the increased demand.

He said: “We normally receive between five to ten doorstep enquiries a week, so this week has taken some managing.

“Due to our superb network of third-party milkmen, we are now able to connect customers from Northumberland right down to Yorkshire with our milk, and we are seeing an influx of new customers from both regions.”

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