COMMODITY AND OTHER NEWS By
EVA
BATT
Let us begin with some good news. Alfonal Maizy Margarine. Since Messrs. Alfonal decided to add milk to this product, many of our members have written to the makers and to us expressing their disappointment and regret that this excellent margarine was no longer suitable for vegans. Now we are very pleased indeed to be able to quote from a recent letter from Alfonal. " Maizy Margarine is now made without skimmed milk solids and it is completely vegan in every respect." As Maizy contains no saturated fats, chemical flavourings, dyes or preservatives, but is made from corn oil, we can now thoroughly recommend it to our members on all counts. The manufacturers' description, "the breadspread of health," would seem to be well deserved. Maizy Brand Corn Oil now contains Alphium, a stabilised wheat germ oil for extra Vitamin E. The Carnation Co. are the makers of " Coffee-mate," which they distribute in America and advertise as a " non-dairy product." This product, however, contains both sodium caseinate (made from milk) and emulsifiers such as mono- and di-glycerides, which are made from animal fat! As far as we know, there is no company in this country using such a questionable form of advertising, but be prepared and read the label carefully, if you are offered an American product which claims to be " non-dairy." For some reason we cannot fathom, this does not mean that the product is free of animal ingredients! Sankeys Sugar. A member in Inverness tells us that Sankeys sugar (processed without the use of bone charcoal) is on sale in Woolworths in some parts of Scotland. Stuffings. Messrs. Lloyd Rakusen write that their stuffings are all suitable for vegans. New Toilet Soap. Another piece of very good news indeed is the arrival of the new luxury toilet soap from Beauty Without Cruelty. Not only vegan, but in every way to be recommended. This delightfully perfumed, attractively presented product was introduced at the Fete on July 4th, when Peter Murray was the first purchaser—closely followed by Serena Coles and me. Individually cellophane-wrapped, it is currently on sale in the Boutique at 2s. per tablet, guest size Is. 3d. 19