'DietDoc' IV van Heerden has, once more, made a number of false and disparaging claims about veganism in her recent article, 'Protein facts for vegetarians' (http://www.health24.com/dietnfood/Vegetarian/15-3961,42728.asp). The article has a strong bias towards dairy and displays unwarranted prejudice towards veganism. One has to wonder where van Heerden is obtaining her dietary information - the 1952 Dairy Institute Guide to Nutrition or the Weston A. Price Foundation, perhaps? Either way, the South African Vegan Society is dismayed by Health24's persistently problematic misrepresentation of veganism; as we have observed in a number of previous critical responses to 'DietDoc' and other Health24 columnists, this essentially anti-vegan position is based on poor research and biased presentation of data, and seems curiously out of touch with contemporary research in the field of nutrition.

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A few days ago, the SA Vegan Society was approached by a journalist writing an article on meat grown in labs and asked for our opinion on the matter in general but specifically:

- whether we  think this is an ethically acceptable alternative to animal meat? and;

- whether vegans and vegetarians would be prepared to eat this and still qualify as vegans/vegetarians?

We discussed the issue at length and this is our response:

The Vegan Society has a few thoughts to consider with regards to meat grown in laboratories;

While it may diminish animal suffering and be engineered to be healthier (e.g., lower cholesterol), meat grown in a laboratory is still problematic from an abolitionist approach as it would use tissue cultures from animals anyway. Furthermore, it reinforces the idea that meat is a natural part of a human diet and this likely means that 'real' meat will be seen as a desirable luxury item. Vat culture meat will undoubtedly become 'poor person's meat'.

Apart from all this, the industry will likely employ various insufficiently tested GM technologies which will potentially negate all health benefits, thus also creating a class divide between those who can afford 'organic real meat' and those who have to consume vat grown GM 'meat'.

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We at the Vegan Society are getting really frustrated with a new wave of self regulation in the retail and manufacturing sector. People are labelling things as vegan who have no idea about what our requirements are.

Having a non-vegan product is one thing, but labelling it as vegan is totally unacceptable! Not just out of consideration for our requirements as vegans but in accordance with the Department of Health’s food labelling and Advertising Standards.

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We're delighted to announce that Aragorn and Steffi, two of the directors of the South African Vegan Society, have opened a new vegan restaurant in Muizenberg Village, just outside of central Cape Town.

bolo'bolo is described as a cosy plant-based café and alternative bookstore. You can try a variety of delicious and well-priced light snacks, nourishing meals, sweet treats, organic Fairtrade coffee, organic teas, smoothies, shakes and freshly extracted juices there, all 100% animal-product free and all as local, organic and ethical as possible.

bolo'bolo also stock a lovely range of books, including a number of vegan cookbooks, animal rights literature and other titles on sustainable living, social justice and more.

If you live in the Cape Town area, or are popping through there on holiday, be sure to visit. As an added bonus, all paid-up SAVS members get a 10% discount on their bills!

Visit their website for more info: www.bolobolo.co.za