Need some vegan Halloween candy?
You got it!
Get into Co-operative supermarkets this week for these inexpensive bags of lollipops that are handily labelled as being suitable for vegans.
Do you hand out vegan sweets on Halloween at your house?
London vegan news, reviews & events
Check it out, people.
The words ‘Fat Gay Vegan’ have been emblazoned across the cover of the latest issue of Vegan Life Magazine.
I was recently interviewed by editor Maria Chiorando about my blogging history, vegan food in the UK, why I do what I do and so much more.
This issue is now available via the Vegan Life app which can be downloaded here.
Physical copies of the issue will be hitting shops on Thursday. You can find Vegan Life Magazine in Sainsbury’s, WH Smith and many independent and chain newspaper stores.
In addition, check out this story about my monthly Dear FGV advice column starting in Vegan Life Magazine this December!
Big, awesome plant-based news time!
The UK is about to get a 100% vegan pizza restaurant.
Wanna know where? Keep reading.
Vegans are always on a mission to find the cheese with best melting qualities.
Is Violife the gold star winner in the UK?
Check out this sandwich I recently devoured. The Violife cheese was actually oozing out the sides as it melted. Is this the most meltable vegan cheese in the UK right now? Or do you have a preferred brand for when you need melted cheese in your life?
Answers below!
This photo originally appeared on my Instagram account.
The new food labelling laws in the UK have really given everyone a shake up.
I think it is valuable (and life-saving) to have clear, concise food labelling that works to hold manufacturers accountable. There are only benefits to be gained from stating any possible allergens on packaging.
But there is a but.
I think most vegan food should be left out of it.
Vegan food is vegan because of what has been purposively left out of the production and it doesn’t become non-vegan due to microscopic or unintentional cross-contamination. Of course, some vegans choose not to eat vegan food that has been prepared in close proximity to non-vegan food but the reality is that the vast majority of plant-based, processed or manufactured food comes into contact with non-vegan particles.
Government agency DEFRA is currently (until Friday) soliciting feedback from interested parties in relation to changes to vegan and vegetarian food labelling advice and guidelines.
It is all one giant grey area as far as I can tell, but I think this is the deal:
The current guidelines state (in part) ‘the term ‘vegan’ should not be applied to foods that are, or are made from or with the aid of animals or animal products (including products from living animals).‘
The upcoming revised guidelines are difficult to predict, but some vegans believe a loosening of definitions will occur. For example, Plamil is urging their customer base to object to any clarifications or changes to the existing guidelines for fear it will ‘allow for frequently high levels of contamination in vegan food.’
They think ‘vegans should be treated like the rest of the population, expecting good manufacturing and supply practices with robust risk assessment to assess the labelling of their food.’
I’m not convinced that a revision to the guidance is instantly a bad thing for vegans.
Plamil chocolate is made in a 100% vegan environment. It is vegan, but is it more vegan than a dairy-free chocolate made in the same factory as a dairy product? As long as equipment is cleaned thoroughly and all care is taken to avoid cross-contamination, I believe a food product made with no intentional animal products is vegan.
I want my vegan products to be labelled as vegan when they have no intentional or known non-vegan ingredients. Do you know what I mean? It is a little confusing.
Here are some examples:
Vegan labelling on food does not mean it is safe for people with severe allergies. It means no known animal ingredients have been purposively included and it should reflect this fact.
I would welcome labelling guidelines that promoted this kind of understanding. I think the guidance should mean a product does not contain purposively-added ingredients of animal origin, has not been prepared with non-vegan ingredients and all reasonable effort has been made to control cross-contamination.
What do you think? Should ‘vegan’ on a label mean only food made in a sterile, plant-based environment only? Or should ‘vegan’ be more in line with my suggestion of ‘vegan to the best of their knowledge and ability’?
Surely the former would see the end of vegan menus being offered by mainstream chain restaurants and a rapid decline in vegan labelling by supermarkets across the UK.
Are you ever out on the High Street or doing some shopping in town and find yourself in need of a filling vegan meal?
Carluccio’s to the rescue!
PLEASE READ THIS IMPORTANT UPDATE ABOUT THIS POST – click here
Carluccio’s is a chain of Italian themed cafes and delis with approximately 45 locations around the UK. The wide-reaching group can be found in shopping centres, on High Streets and across town centres all over the country.
Most people in the UK are familiar with the Italian eatery, but perhaps not everyone is aware of the vegan menu you can ask to see when dining with Carluccio’s.
Nobody, and I mean NOBODY, has put vegan sweets on the London food map quite like Mellissa Morgan. Mellissa’s Ms. Cupcake brand is known and loved by people all over the capital, while her recipe collection has sold by the pallet load to devoted fans.
Ms. Cupcake is a vegan brand that has come an impressive distance in a short time, but a booming Brixton bakery and plans for a follow up book do not signal anywhere close to the end of the story.
Ms. Cupcake and Mellissa Morgan have some big news to share.
Have you got £15 burning a hole in your pocket? Get into your nearest Hotel Chocolat for this gourmet vegan Easter egg.
Made with almond powder, this decadent dairy-free egg is accompanied by chocolate bites packed with fruit and nuts. I was tempted, but just couldn’t bring myself to part with that sort of cash for an Easter egg.
What do you think? Is that crossing a price line you would never step over?
You can see the egg via the online Hotel Chocolat shop.
If you do take the plunge and shell out for this vegan egg, please let me know how if it is fabulous. I could still be swayed!
Hey, chocolate lovers. Here is some fab news.
There is a new vegan chocolate company in the UK and you can order their decadent bars online for delivery.
Check it out.