Everyone deserves a chocolate treat at Easter – here’s how to make it happen. Photo: Nestea06.
Nothing says ‘I love you’ like a tasty treat at Easter, unless that treat sends the recipient running for the toilet (or worse).
From those with nut allergies or coeliac disease to the dairy intolerant and vegans, it can be tricky to cater for needs you’re not familiar with.
Not to worry – if you like to share the love with chocolate at Easter, here’s our handy guide to catering for loved ones with dietary requirements.
Nut allergy
First of all, back away from the Ferrero Rochers and put down the Nutella.
Nut allergies can be immediately life-threatening and most chocolate brands have a “may contain” warning for nuts.
This means even though there are no nuts in the chocolate it is likely manufactured on machinery that also processes nuts.
This makes it a no-go for allergy sufferers.
In Australia the two most accessible options for nut-free chocolate with no cross-contamination are anything from the brands Sweet William and NoMo.
They both make eggs and bunnies in flavours from plain chocolate to caramel and cookie dough and can be found at most Coles and Woolworths stores as well as some Kmart and Big W stores.
Their products are also gluten, egg and dairy free, so they’re the perfect choice for anyone who has multiple dietary requirements, including vegans.
Coeliac
For people with coeliac disease, eating anything that contains gluten can cause their immune system to attack their small intestine.
The consequences can range from an upset tummy to an inability to absorb nutrients leading to osteoporosis and other serious conditions.
Sweet William and NoMo are safe brands that contain no gluten.
Cadbury’s regular range has a “may contain” warning for gluten on most products, however their Easter range, including almost all flavours of mini eggs, hollow eggs and bunnies are gluten free. Double check the back of flavoured mini eggs for a “may contain wheat” or “may contain gluten” warning just in case.
Coles brand hazlenut brittle white chocolate eggs, sea salt and caramel almond nougat milk eggs, popping candy milk chocolate eggs, lemon meringue milk chocolate eggs, and Easter pops are all gluten-free.
Smarties, Crunch and Kit-Kat mini eggs from Nestle are also safe for coeliacs, as are the Red Tulip bunnies and mini eggs.
The vast majority of Kinder’s Easter range is gluten-free as well, with the exception of the plain milk chocolate mini eggs.
Dairy intolerance
For most sufferers, a dairy intolerance isn’t life-threatening, but accidentally eating dairy can really ruin their day.
To help their Easter – and their insides – run smoothly, you could offer Sweet William or NoMo branded bunnies or eggs, which are safe for most dietary requirements.
Loving Earth Magic Mini Eggs at Woolworths are dairy-free and gluten-free, although they may contain traces of nuts.
Pana Organic Easter eggs come in a variety of flavours and can be found at Woolworths or Myer stores. They are a limited edition however, so you may have to do some hunting.
Ferrero Rocher’s grand dark chocolate is also dairy-free.
Vegan
Surprisingly, vegans are easier to cater for at Easter than might be expected.
The most common non-vegan ingredient in chocolate is milk, so any of the chocolate brands suitable for those with dairy intolerances are also likely to be suitable for vegans.
These include Sweet William, NoMo, Loving Earth and Pana Organic.
Most good-quality dark chocolates will also be vegan, including dark varieties of Lindt, Ferrero Rocher and Moser Roth.
Ethical chocolate
It’s not really a dietary requirement, but if you’ve got someone in your life who cares a lot about an issue such as child labour, deforestation or pesticide use, they might appreciate a chocolate gift that reflects the relevant values.
The 2025 Chocolate Scorecard – produced by Be Slavery Free in collaboration with two Australian universities and a wide range of consultants and sustainability interest groups – is out.
It ranks companies across the entire chocolate sector, from major multinational producers through to retailers, on a wide range of sustainability policies and practices.
Receiving top marks this year were Tony’s Chocolonely, Halba, Cemoi and Ritter.
For Halba and Cemoi you’ll need to take a trip to a specialty store, but Tony’s Chocolonely and Ritter can often be found at Aldi, in Country Grocer stores and sometimes at Coles and Woolworths.
Original Article published by Zoe Cartwright on Region Illawarra.
