Vegan Foods
This section is a directory of food for vegans in South Africa which will help you understand just what's available and where to buy it. We also have some useful tips for persuading your local store to begin stocking these products.
Vegan chocolate >
Beacon Midnight Velvet
Beacon chocolate bars were re-launched in 2004 with new and improved formulation. The chocolate is made from select cocoa beans which gives a more intense chocolate flavour. The Midnight Velvet dark chocolate flavour is dairy-free. Endorphins are released by the brain when eating chocolate which reduces pain.
Beacon Midnight Velvet chocolate is available in 45g, 120g and 240g bars from most food stores throughout South Africa.
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I'm not sure if this brand changed again since 2004, but on the wrapper it has the milchik logo which means it contains dairy...
Thanks for the question and concern Kate. We have been in touch with Tiger Brands about this and they have reconfirmed that their E322 does not contain egg yolk. I hope that puts your mind at rest. :) I hate (especially on the subject of chocolate!) to be the bearer of bad news but as far as I have understood the product listed above IS (probably) NOT VEGAN - please see findings below: [Link supplied now broken] Some Beacon chocolates now list their emulsifier, E322, as a ‘Genetically Modified’ ingredient. E322 refers to partially hydrolysed lecithin, a compound that is commercially isolated mainly from soybeans and egg yolk. The lecithin acts as an emulsifier and stabiliser of water-oil/fat mixtures and is used to soften chocolate. The soybeans are no doubt the source of the GMOs in the Beacon chocolate. E numbers are codes for food additives and are usually found on food labels throughout the European Union. At present there is no legislation in South Africa that compels food manufacturers to list GMOs in their ingredients. Disclosure is completely voluntary. Beacon is to be commended for giving consumers a choice, but it would be best if they refrained from using genetically modified ingredients at all. Science has yet to demonstrate conclusively that these organisms are safe for human consumption in the long term. For now it’s probably safer to stick with organic choccie as organic standards preclude the use of any GM ingredients. For more on Genetically Modified Organisms, visit the Biowatch website. Biowatch South Africa is a NGO that monitors and researches issues of genetic modification. Thanks to Har Bhajan of Earth Products for the Beacon lead" If anyone knows of any affordable vegan chocolate source in Durban I would really appreciate knowing where to find such a heavenly place! :)
Caring Candies
Caring Candies manufactures healthy sugar and dairy-free chocolates, which are free from all "Nasties" such as sugar, artificial sweeteners, artificial colourants, preservatives and allergens.
They are tooth-friendly, gluten-free, kosher, vegan, and unbelievably delicious with no horrible aftertaste. They're suitable for individuals with allergies, diabetes, autism, slimmers, and the health conscious.
Caring Candies are available at Dischem, Spar, health shops and pharmacies, and Western Cape Pick n Pay Stores, or buy direct from their factory shop.
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Carob Cocoons
Carob Cocoons are sugar, dairy and wheat free. There are 2 delicious flavours: Almond and Cashew & Ginger - blended with date and carob pieces, shaped into cocoon balls and encased in carob.
Available from good stores all around Johannesburg such as Hyde Park, Illovo, Linksfield and Craighall.
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Elite Chocolate
The Elite brand by Strauss has several 'parve' chocolate varieties that are suitable for vegans. The Bittersweet Chocolate bar, Bittersweet Chocolate Coins Box, Bittersweet Chocolate 60% Cocoa Solids bar - plain or with almonds, are all dairy-free.
Elite vegan chocolates are available from Pick n Pay and Spar in Norwood, Kosher World in Glenhazel, and other stores that specialise in Jewish foods.
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Fabulous Freefrom Factory Chocovered Raisins
Sweet and juicy raisins with a delicious dairy-free chocolate coating made from a luxurious blend of cocoa, raw sugar and soya. Vegetarian and vegan friendly, they're perfect too for anyone suffering from lactose or casein intolerance.
Popular for children's lunchboxes, they're much loved by adults too.
Available at Wellness Warehouse and established health shops.
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Fine & Raw Chocolate
FINE & RAW is raw chocolate. Raw chocolate is a reverence for creaminess, possibility and ecology. Crafted using conscious ingredients with artisan low heat techniques to keep raw vitality, it is cunningly absent of sugar, dairy and additives.
Creativity, innovative play, laughter and movement are the tasted mixtures. Raw chocolate is healing. FINE & RAW's mission is to save the world through silliness and chocolate! Made raw; it feels good.
Visit the Fine and Raw website for a list of stockists in South Africa.
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Health Connection Wholefoods
Health Connection is a local company that sources and produces a wide range of vegan foodstuffs, including carob. Carob is a delicious alternative to chocolate.
Try the dairy-free chunks for a high- protein natural snack; they're made from fructose. Buy some carob powder and use it to make smoothies, hot chocolate, cakes and other sweet treats.
Health Connection products are available from good health stores, Dischem, Checkers, Pick n Pay Eastern Cape, Pick n Pay and Spar Western Cape.
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Honest Chocolate
Honest Chocolate bonbons are dark and intense with a soft, smooth chocolatey centre. These bonbons are made with raw (unroasted) organic cacao (full of antioxidants) and are sugar and dairy-free. Instead of sugar, organic agave nectar is used which has a low GI value and adds a warm flavour to the chocolate.
The cacao (or unprocessed cocoa) is sourced from ethically-managed farms in Ecuador, ensuring that the small-scale farmers are not exploited and get a fair price for their cacao beans.
Honest Chocolate is currently only available direct or at The Neighbourhoods Market at the Biscuit Mill in Woodstock, Cape Town and in Johannesburg.
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Lindt
Chocolate making is an art with Lindt's chocolatiers, masters of their craft. Every detail counts when it comes to creating the finest chocolate and Lindt offer you a chocolate that melts in your mouth and caresses your senses.
The Lindt Excellence 70% Cocoa and 85% Cocoa dark, solid chocolates are suited for vegans.
Available from most large supermarkets nationwide.
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Lindt is not vegan, it contains milk solids, including the 70 and 85% dark chocolate. >>>
VSA: Thx for your feedback Claudia - which variety are you referring to pls, we'll check it out?
We previously received this response direct from Lindt: "all our dark, solid chocolates (i.e. Lindt Excellence 70% Cocoa and 85% Cocoa) are suited for vegans"
This does not include their flavoured dark chocolate.
>>> VSA: We have now received re-confirmation from Lindt that thse chocolates are suitable for vegans since their production process satisfies our criteria. Please see below for details of their reply:
"We manufacture different kinds of chocolates on the same production machine. Even after an intense rinsing process we cannot entirely rule out that traces of animal substances find their way into the otherwise vegan chocolates. With this in mind we have to add "May contain traces of milk" to the packaging. I have gone through the Excellence range and can confirm the following:
1. Excellence Cranberry – May contain traces of milk
2. Excellence Chili – May contain traces of milk
3. Excellence 85% - May contain traces of milk
4. Excellence Orange – May contain traces of milk
5. Excellence 70% - May contain traces of milk
6. Excellence Sea Salt – No milk
7. Excellence Blueberry – No milk
8. Excellence Caramel – No milk
9. Excellence Mint – Contains milk
10. Excellence Coconut – Contains milk
11. Excellence Wasabi – Contains milk
The first 8 in the above list vegans should be able to consume."
This product contains milk, so it's not suitable for vegan's.
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VSA: Thx for your feedback Wendy - which variety are you referring to pls, we'll check it out?
Noble Choice
Eskal Foods Ltd is dedicated to providing high quality gluten free, dairy free and nut free products. The dairy free range provides chocolate blocks and chocolate gift boxes.
Select Eskal products now available at all Dis-Chem stores.
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I've been to 3 different Dis-Chem stores and no one has heard of this chocolate. Which store stocks this? Thank - you
Rapunzel
Rapunzel Swiss chocolates are now available in South Africa. Try their Bittersweet chocolate with a breath of pure Bourbon vanilla, or their Semisweet chocolates with orange or espresso bean splits.
Rapunzel vegan chocolates are available from Earthmother Organic in Glenwood, Durban.
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Sweet William
Sweet William uses the best cocoa liquor to produce a smooth European-style chocolate with the essential goodness of soy including fibre, vitamin E, calcium, and omega fatty acids.
Their vegan chocolate range includes Carob Deluxe, White Delight, Not Nuts, Tangerine, Rice Crackle, No Sugar Added, as well as Original Dairy-free.
Sweet William chocolate is available from Dischem stores.
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Woolworths
The Woolworths home brand comes good again with a fine selection of non-dairy chocos. Their slabs include Organic Dark Chocolate and Organic Dark Chocolate & Orange, made from the finest cocoa beans. The boxed sets include Ginger Chocolates and Orange Chocolates, both made from dark chocolate.
For luxury chocolates try their Swiss Chocolate Dark and Swiss Chocolate Ginger - extra fine dark chocolate from the finest cocoa beans milled in Switzerland, or the absolutely exquisite Organic Chocolate Truffles for true chocolaty decadence.
Available from Woolworths food departments nationwide.
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Vegan Food Product Listings
If your business produces vegan foodstuffs (or you know of a business or brand that does) and you would like to be listed here, we'll gladly reward you with a free listing. Please contact us now to get your vegan-friendly business listed and help promote veganism in South Africa.
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