FAQ Your questions, answered

Food Socks have a 12-month shelf life. Stored in the right conditions they last much longer: it’s a shelf life, not an expiry date.

Every Food Sock is a complete meal, made with plant-based protein. The base ingredients are pasta or rice, pulses and beans, dehydrated vegetables, herbs, spices, stock and flavourings.

We can’t share the detailed recipes, as they are our intellectual property. We don’t use mushrooms or nuts, but they are present in our factory.

No. Food Sock meals are made with plant-based protein. The chicken, beef, mutton and fish flavours come from flavourings, not real meat, which keeps the meals affordable and shelf-stable without a fridge.

Yes, Food Sock Meals is Halaal certified by the Muslim Judicial Council Halaal Trust (MJCHT), and all the ingredients we source are Halaal. Our laboratory testing is done by Mérieux NutriSciences.

Our flavourings come from a reputable South African flavour house, which has confirmed in writing that they are synthetically created and contain no animal-derived ingredients. As is standard in the food industry, the exact flavour recipes are confidential.

Halaal certification means our meals meet strict standards of cleanliness, sourcing and quality control, so everyone can enjoy them. The logo doesn’t change what’s in the pouch: the ingredients and flavours are exactly the same. You’ll find the same certification on most of the food in your pantry.

The full nutritional information is printed on every pouch, and is available on request at info@foodsock.co.za.

E100, E124, E150c

E330, E363

E412

E551

E621, E628, E630

TBHQ (E319 equivalent)

Referenced for allergen awareness:

E102

FOOD SOCK MEALS – E-NUMBER & ALLERGEN DISCLOSURE

1. E-NUMBERS PRESENT IN PRODUCTS

Flavour Enhancers

E621 (MSG)

E628

E630

Used to enhance savoury flavour profiles in certain meals.

Acidity Regulators

E330 (Citric Acid)

E363

Used for flavour balance and preservation.

Stabilisers / Thickeners

E412 (Guar Gum)

Used to improve texture and consistency in soups/sauces.

Colourants

E100 (Curcumin)

E124 (Ponceau 4R)

E150c (Caramel Colour)

Used to enhance visual appeal and match expected food colour.

Anti-Caking Agent

E551 (Silicon Dioxide)

Used to keep powders free-flowing.

Antioxidant

TBHQ (E319 equivalent)

Used in certain oils to maintain shelf stability.

2. E-NUMBERS REFERENCED FOR ALLERGEN AWARENESS

These are not necessarily added, but are declared due to:

shared factory environment

regulatory allergen disclosure

E102 (Tartrazine)

E210–E219 (Benzoates)

E220–E229 (Sulphites)

E620–E650 (Flavour enhancer group)

3. KEY ALLERGEN CONSIDERATIONS

Contains (in certain products):

Gluten (in specific soups only – e.g. mutton & tomato bases)

Soy (widely used across products)

Milk/Dairy (in some cream-style formulations)

Does NOT contain (in most products):

Nuts

Peanuts

Egg

Fish (except fish-flavoured variants)

Cross-Contamination Risk

All products are manufactured in a facility that may handle:

Gluten

Sulphites

Tartrazine

Other allergens

Strict cleaning protocols are in place, but trace presence cannot be completely excluded.

4. FREE-FROM GUIDANCE (SIMPLIFIED)

Category Status

Gluten-free options available ✔ Yes (select meals only)

Dairy-free options available ✔ Yes (select meals only)

Nut-free ✔ Yes (no nuts used)

MSG-free ❌ No (present in some products)

Preservative-free ✔ Yes (no traditional preservatives; shelf-life via dehydration)

5. IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER

Food Sock Meals are designed to be:

affordable

shelf-stable

nutritionally practical

However:

Some products contain flavour enhancers and colourants

Products are not certified allergen-free

Customers with severe allergies should exercise caution

• Pasta Bolognese: 310 g
• Chicken Breyani: 375 g
• Chicken Pasta: 350 g
• Chicken A La King: 360 g
• Mac & Cheese: 370 g
• Mutton Stew: 390 g
• Tomato Bredie: 410 g
• Traditional Melkkos: 390 g

While stocks last: Chakalaka Samp & Beans 490 g, Chicken & Veg Soup 210 g, Chilli Beef Stew 430 g, Tangy Fish Stew 345 g, Thai Green Curry 345 g.

Yes. We use food-grade, recyclable plastic sleeves.

Definitely. We’re always working on new flavours, and we’d love to hear your ideas. Send them to info@foodsock.co.za.

All you need is a pot, water and a stove. Empty the whole pouch into a pot, add water as per the pouch, and cook for about 30 minutes. Some flavours include beans in a separate bag, which need boiling first to soften.

Cooking steps for every flavour are on our Flavours page.

It can be done, but we recommend the stove. The meal takes about 30 minutes and should be stirred while it cooks so it doesn’t burn and the water is absorbed evenly.

Most Food Sock meals take around 30 minutes on a stove at sea level. Above 900 metres water boils at a lower temperature, so allow an extra 5 to 10 minutes. Very hard water can also slow cooking slightly. Always check the pouch instructions and taste before serving.

Taste is personal: what’s too salty for one person is just right for another. If a meal tastes too salty for you, add a little more water while it cooks, or try one of our other flavours.

Melkkos (“milk food”) is a much-loved South African comfort dish: a creamy, milky pudding finished with lots of cinnamon. The traditional recipe often uses spaghetti or macaroni, so trust us and give it a try.

They’re the same well-known spiced rice dish. Biryani is the international spelling; breyani is how we say it in South Africa. Our Chicken Breyani delivers that familiar flavour while being easy to cook in one pot.

Order from your local Food Sock Reseller. Our resellers know the product well and usually have stock on hand. Find a reseller near you, or contact us if there isn’t one in your area.

Absolutely. Starter packs start at R2,500 (incl. VAT) and include sign-up and admin. Watch our short course to see how it works, then book a call with our team.

Sorry, we can’t offer free samples at the moment. Your local Food Sock Reseller will be happy to help you try a flavour.

Please do! Whether it’s a crèche, one of your employees or a family who could use a hand, a reseller can arrange delivery, or we can courier from our factory.

Most definitely. Each Food Sock serves 4, or 6 to 8 children, so it goes a long way. For bigger groups, have a look at our Heartfelt Foods meal buckets.

What a wonderful idea. Food Socks and Heartfelt Foods meal buckets are ideal for feeding centres and crèches. Contact us at info@foodsock.co.za to talk about wholesale supply, and even your company logo on the packaging.

Yes. They’re easy to transport and store, quick to prepare with very little equipment, and cost less than traditional food parcels.

Everyone! Families, the elderly, students, campers, businesses, schools, churches and feeding schemes all enjoy Food Sock.

We can’t give medical or dietary advice. The full nutritional information is printed on every pouch, so please check it with your doctor or dietitian.

Weevils and other pantry insects usually arrive in food from the shop. They’re annoying but harmless, and cooking kills any eggs. To keep them away:

• Check that packaging is intact when you buy.
• Store dry food in containers with tight-fitting lids.
• Keep food somewhere cool and dry, and use older packets first.
• Freezing rice and grains for 3 to 4 days kills any weevils.

We check our suppliers’ products carefully, including laboratory tests. If you plan to keep Food Socks for a long time, the freezer keeps them fresh for even longer.