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VEGETARIAN AND VEGAN CHOCOLATE

Chocolate… For some many, this substance is something worth running to the shop for, day or night, in rain, wind or snow! The passionate attraction for chocolate is not a new phenomenon however.

The word “chocolate”, loosely translates to the term “warm beverage”, and is from the Mayan Indians of Central America. Once Mexico was taken over by the Spanish in the 16th century, the passion for chocolate spread to Europe, with cocoa becoming a fashionable and popular drink. The transformation of chocolate from liquid to solid form occurred in the 18th century and mass production of solid chocolate commenced in the 19th century by John Cadbury and Henry Issac Rowntree.

Nutrition and non-vegetarian ingredients

While chocolate has a high fat content and contains caffeine, it is also a good source of phosphorus, vitamin E, calcium, iron and contains moderate quantities of protein and magnesium. Ingredients that can cause chocolate products to be unsuitable for vegetarians include the use of animal fats, whey products that have been produced using animal rennets as well as animal by-product colourings, additives and gelatine in those which have sticky fillings.

FairTrade chocolate – the ethical opinion

Where chocolate has the FAIR TRADE mark, you can be sure that a higher premium goes direct to the farmers that produce the cocoa beans. There is a better chance that cocoa bean growers can maintain independent ownership of their plots and farms. It is too easy for traders to pay lower prices for the beans, increasing their profit margins but reducing the gain for the growers, so it is up to us to support Fair Trade marked goods.

Oxfam sell a range of fair trade and organic chocolate bars, some are guaranteed vegetarian and one is vegan (See list below for details). Green & Black’s chocolate company also use fairly traded and organic ingredients in their wares.

For vegans, Green & Black’s and Plamil supply a range of chocolate to suit all palates. As well as supplying dark chocolate, Plamil also produce a chocolate bar (the Martello bar) that has the taste of diary milk chocolate but without the use of any animal ingredients.

With Easter coming around again, it is good to note that Vegetarian and Vegan Easter eggs are produced by these companies also, and all produce can be found in health foods shops nationwide.

THE LIST:

As with all lists published by the Vegetarian Society of Ireland, we would like to assert that this is not an exhaustive list of vegetarian and vegan chocolate options available. If you know of others please let us know and we will happily publish an updated list.

At the time of compilation, The Vegetarian Society was assured that all products listed from Cadbury’s, Nestlé and Terry’s are suitable for vegetarians, containing neither eggs nor animal derived ingredients other than dairy products. The companies have however reserved the right to change ingredients – if in doubt, read the label or call the manufacturer. For all other companies listed, the produce is guaranteed vegetarian or vegan.

Vegetarian

Vegan

(Sources of information: The Vegetarian Society (UK), www.earthfoods.co.uk.gbs2.html, www.plamilfoods.co.uk )

Maria Connolly

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