The Vegan America Marketplace Daily Update🌱

Chocolate is one of life’s simplest pleasures. And for many, dark chocolate seems like a safe, dairy-free indulgence—especially for those choosing a plant-based lifestyle. But here’s the reality: just because a chocolate bar doesn’t list “milk” as an ingredient doesn’t mean it’s vegan. In fact, several non-obvious animal-derived ingredients can sneak into your favorite treat.

One of the most overlooked is lecithin, an emulsifier used to bind ingredients and keep chocolate smooth. While it’s often derived from soy or sunflower, some manufacturers still use egg-derived lecithin. Unless it’s clearly labeled as plant-based, there’s no way to be sure.

Butterfat is another hidden ingredient. It’s a milk fat used to give chocolate a richer texture, and it can be found even in some “non-dairy” or dark chocolate options. Its presence isn’t always obvious unless you examine the label closely.

Then there are natural flavors, which sound innocent but are frustratingly vague. These can come from animal or plant sources. For example, certain flavor extracts are made with compounds derived from animal glands or dairy products. Unless the brand specifies that its natural flavors are vegan, they may not be.

Some artisan or specialty chocolates also include honey as a sweetener or shellac as a coating. Shellac is a resin secreted by the lac insect and is commonly used to give chocolates a glossy finish. Additionally, ingredients like whey powder or casein—both milk-derived—are sometimes added to enhance texture or flavor, especially in processed or low-cost chocolates.

Even if a product looks and sounds vegan, it may still contain traces of these ingredients or be manufactured on shared equipment with dairy and eggs—something that strict vegans may want to avoid.

That’s exactly why we created the Vegan America Marketplace. We’ve curated a long and growing list of certified vegan chocolates, from rich dark bars to filled truffles and nutty bites. You don’t have to second-guess ingredients or wonder if your dessert compromises your values.

Explore our selection today and treat yourself with confidence—because chocolate should be joyful, not confusing.