2021 Winners
The Free From Food Awards are the UK’s only award dedicated to free from food and drink. Established in 2008, our eye-catching yellow logo has become synonymous with quality and innovation.
This year we welcomed more than 600 entries and over the course of 4 weeks, our dedicated team of judges, from manufacturers, product developers and chefs to nutritionists, coeliacs and allergy reactors, scrutinised, tasted and discussed each and every entry.
We are delighted to share with you those products our judges felt stood out within their respective categories.
Watch our winner’s video here or simply scroll down to the category you’d like to see!
Won an award? Download the Medallist logos here!The Categories
Click on the category below to see the Winners. Products are listed alphabetically by brand.
- Retailer of the Year – Sponsored by Oakland International
- Best Independent Brands of the Year – Sponsored by Nutraceuticals Group Europe
- Breakfast Foods – Sponsored by Schär
- Milk Product Alternatives – Sponsored by Nature’s Path
- Breads
- Store Cupboard
- Snack Bars– Sponsored by Romer Labs
- Savoury Snacks & Crackers
- Drinks – Mixers, Wines, Ciders & Spirits – Sponsored by Asda
- Drinks – Gluten-Free Beer – Sponsored by Asda
- Pasta & Pizza – Sponsored by Bute Island Foods
- Ready Meals
- Vegan Snacks & Meal Ideas – Sponsored by Planted
- Foods Manufactured for Foodservice
- Tea Time – Sponsored by FREEE
- Desserts & Puddings
- Confectionery – Chocolate & Sweets – Sponsored by Unismack
- The Gift Category
- Innovation Award – Sponsored by Nairn’s Oatcakes
- Almost Totally Free From
- Artisan Foods – Sponsored by Seedful
- Child & Teen Friendly Food – Sponsored by Genius Gluten Free
- Best Packaging for a FreeFrom Product
- Best Labelling for a FreeFrom Product – Sponsored by RSSL
- Best Digital Presence for a Free From Brand – Sponsored by DigitalJen
- Best Product from a Start-Up – Sponsored by Tesco
- Free From Hero Award – Sponsored by Natasha’s Allergy Research Foundation
Retailer of the Year – Sponsored by Oakland International
Gold Medal Winners
Silver Medal Winners
Bronze Medal Winners
Best Independent Brand of the Year ‘Small Brand’ – Sponsored by Nutraceuticals Group Europe
Winner
Best Independent Brand of the Year ‘Big Brand’ – Sponsored by Nutraceuticals Group Europe
Winner
Breakfast Foods – Sponsored by Schär
Gold Medal Winners
- Forest Feast Raspberry, Pecan & Apple Topper “this has an excellent contrast between the sweet and tart flavours”
- Tesco Free From 2 Chocolate Twists “a shining example of the evolution of gluten free pastries”
Silver Medal Winners
- Asda Free From Special Flakes
- FREEE Gluten Free Organic Porridge Oats
- Simplyseedz Apricot & Cranberry Porridge Pot
- Tesco Free From Bran Flakes
Bronze Medal Winners
Milk Product Alternatives – Sponsored by Nature’s Path
Gold Medal Winners
- Mexicana Vegan “this really delivered, a lovely heat, very well balanced”
- Planted Almond Drink with Coffee “this got judges excited, a fantastic standalone drink”
- Sheese Smoked German Style “really quite special in the cheese alternatives world”
- Sproud Barista “innovation that works – frothed well and lovely & creamy when warm”
Silver Medal Winners
- Asda Plain Soya Yogurt Alternative
- Asda Lemon Soya Yogurt Alternative
- Asda Free From Garlic & Chive Cheddar Alternative
- Lidl Just Free Oat Drink
- Sheese French Style Blue
Bronze Medal Winners
- Asda Hazelnut Drink
- Morrisons V Taste Coconut Oil Alternative to Jalapeno & Chilli Cheddar
- Sheese Grated Mild Cheddar Style
- Sheese Mild Cheddar Style Slices
- Tesco Free From Coconut Oil Alternative to Garlic & Herbs Soft Cheese
- Tesco Free From Soya Alternative to Greek Style Yogurt
- Vitalite Dairy Free Spread
Breads
Gold Medal Winners
- Calvin’s Original 5 Coconut Flatbreads “a genuinely innovative & delicious product”
Silver Medal Winners
Bronze Medal Winners
Store Cupboard
Gold Medal Winners
- Tesco Free From 10 Waffle Cones “these looked the real deal and they didn’t disappoint”
- Quinola Puy Lentils & Whole Grain Quinoa “a lovely textural mix with a good balance of seasoning”
Silver Medal Winners
- Bellygoodness Mediterranean Sauce
- Coppola Organic Tomato Ketchup No Sugar Added
- Herbfetti
- Hunter & Gather Unsweetened Barbecue Smokey Classic Sauce
- Shore The Scottish Seaweed Co. Sea Kitchen Black Kale & Seaweed Pesto
- Slightly Different Sauces Spicy Red Pepper Tomato Ketchup
- Tesco Free From Salad Cream
Bronze Medal Winners
- Asda Free From Chow Mein Stir Fry Sauce
- Asda Free From Gravy Granules
- Asda Free From Peri Peri Mayonnaise
- Asda Plant-Based Smoky Three Bean Chilli
- Bay’s Kitchen Thai Green Curry Stir-in Sauce
- Eat Wholesome Organic Coconut Milk
- Gallybird Stevia Drops
- Nibble Choc Deliciously Decadent Dark Chocolate Chips
- Orriss & Son My Wave – Piri-Piri Sauce
- Otzibrew Organic Chicory & Cordyceps Coffee Alternative
- Tesco Free From 8 Yorkshire Puddings
Snack Bars– Sponsored by Romer Labs
Gold Medal Winners
- Co-op Free From Vegan Tiffin Bar “crunchy biscuit joy”
Silver Medal Winners
Bronze Medal Winners
Savoury Snacks and Crackers
Gold Medal Winners
- Made For Drink Chorizo Thins “exceptional chorizo flavour, perfect with Rioja!”
- Shore The Scottish Seaweed Co Sweet Sriracha Seaweed Chips “a really well considered product that delivers on all fronts”
Silver Medal Winners
- Breakin’Bread Pumpkin, Sunflower & Chia Seeds Crispbread
- Nairn’s Gluten Free Cheese Oatcakes
- Nairn’s Gluten Free Super Seeded Oatcakes
- Nairn’s Gluten Free Wholegrain Crackers
- Purely Plantain Chips Nice & Spicy
Bronze Medal Winners
Drinks – Mixers, Wines, Ciders & Spirits – Sponsored by Asda
Gold Medal Winners
- Lidl New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc Awatere Valley “a light & zingy sauvignon at an exceptional price”
- Wilfred’s Bittersweet Orange & Rosemary Aperitif “innovative & exciting within the low & no space”
Silver Medal Winners
- Aston Manor Cider Friels First Press Vintage Low Alcohol Cider
- Aston Manor Cider Friels First Press Vintage Cider 5.5%
- Twelve Below Rhubarb & Ginger Tonic
- Coldpress Cherry Apple Super Juice
- Princess Prosecco Black Label
- Thatchers Cider Thatchers Katy
Bronze Medal Winners
Drinks – Gluten-Free Beer – Sponsored by Asda
Gold Medal Winners
- Gun Brewery Chummy Bluster Best Bitter “Every mouthful brings out a different ingredient flavour”
Silver Medal Winners
Bronze Medal Winners
Pasta & Pizza – Sponsored by Bute Island Foods
Gold Medal Winners
- Aldi Green Pea Penne “simple ingredients, a great texture, lovely flavour & good value – this ticks just about every box”
- Tesco Wicked Kitchen Asparagus and Peppercorn Ravioli “superb, this delivers an exceptional balance of flavours which really carry through”
Silver Medal Winners
- Aldi Plant Menu Vegan Pizza Spicy Cauliflower
- Asda Free From Fusilli
- Morrisons Free From Tagliatelle
- Mr Organic Gluten Free Oat Pasta Mezze Rigatoni
Bronze Medal Winners
Ready Meals
Gold Medal Winners
- The Pie Life Gluten Free Steak & Kidney Pudding “An exceptional pudding & genuinely innovative within the free from space. It’s been a long time coming but this was worth the wait”
Silver Medal Winners
- Aldi Tempura Chicken Bites
- Asda Carrot & Coriander Soup
- Asda Extra Special 6 Armagh Bramley Apple Pork Sausages
- Asda Extra Special 6 Cumberland Pork Sausages
- Asda Extra Special 6 Triple Chilli Pork Sausages
- Chef Akila Delhi Butter Chicken
- Chef Akila Royal Lamb Biryani
- Macsween Vegetarian Haggis
- Mash Direct Green Cabbage Bake
- Tesco Free From Katsu Chicken Curry
- Tesco Free From Southern Fried Mini Chicken Breast Fillets
Bronze Medal Winners
Vegan Snacks & Meal Ideas – Sponsored by Planted
Gold Medal Winners
- Cornitos Nacho Crisps – Spicy Tikka Masala “an intriguing clash of cultures but it works – nachos with some wonderful authentic Indian spice flavours “
- Foodologie 5 a day Plant Pot Roasted Roots with Curly Kale “the abundance & variety of ingredients make this a add make this …..great texture and a real bite”
- Fry’s Rice Protein & Chia Nuggets “very good & that little bit different different and with an impressive fibrous, meaty texture”
- NOSHY Artisan Energy Truffles Gustav (Chocolate-Hazelnut) “these are really quite special”
Silver Medal Winners
- Asda Plant Based 6 Meat-Free Sausages
- Morrisons V Taste 6 Beetroot & Chia Seed Cookies
- NOSHY Artisan Energy Truffles Frida (Cherry-Lemon)
- Origin Kitchen Creamed Cashew Sundried Tomato Spread
- Planet Kuku Roasted Veg, Thyme & Marinated Tofu Kuku
- Soupologie 5-a-day Carrot & Butternut Soup with a hint of Chilli
Bronze Medal Winners
- Asda Plant Based 8 Meat-Free Burgers
- Asda Spiced Dhal Soup
- Asda Tomato & Basil Soup
- Bepps Salt & Black Pepper Popped
- Foodologie 5 a Day Plant Pot Bountiful Burrito Bowl
- Lazy Vegan Thai Green Curry
- Lidl Vemondo Vegan Chargrilled Yellow Pepper, Mushrooms & Spinach Pizza
- Tesco Free From Christmas Pudding
- Tesco Free From Maple Bacon Tortilla Curls
- Tesco Plant Chef Thai Inspired Green Curry
- M&S Plant Kitchen Not-zzarella Sticks
Foods Manufactured for Foodservice
Gold Medal Winners
- Macsween Gluten Free Haggis “this had a good, well balanced, peppery kick”
Silver Medal Winners
Tea Time – Sponsored by FREEE
Gold Medal Winners
- Lidl Just Free Ginger Cookies “the price impressed the judges as much as the natural ginger flavour & hit which carried through”
- Morrisons The Best Free From Belgian White Chocolate & Lemon Cookies “a different & innovative flavour pairing that makes for a lovely, fresh biscuit”
Silver Medal Winners
- Asda Free From Custard Creams
- Glitterbug Bakery Chocolate Swiss Roll
- Morrisons V Taste Free From Shortbread
- Tesco Free From Enrobed Orange Cookies & Cream
Bronze Medal Winners
Desserts & Puddings
Gold Medal Winners
- Saintly Dark Chocolate Tarts “a truly decadent dessert with lovely textural contrast, delightful”
- Sweet Cakey Thing LemonLush Lemon & Blueberry Cake Pot “refreshingly different, delightful, light lemon hints and a beautifully textured sponge with the addition of fresh blueberries”
Silver Medal Winners
- Aldi Dairy Free Salted Caramel Chocsticks
- Asda Free From Chocolate Ice Cream
- Nourish Organic Coconutty Bar
- Saintly Blackberry & Apple Crumble Tarts
Bronze Medal Winners
Confectionery – Chocolate & Sweets – Sponsored by Unismack
Gold Medal Winners
- NOMO Caramel Choc Bar “excellent free from positioning – so unusual to find an accessible soya & nut free chocolate and to then make pillows with a caramel inclusion is impressive”
- Truede Dark Chocolate & Fruity Candy Covered Roasted Chickpeas “bright & colourful with a crispy shell, great for baking”
Silver Medal Winners
- NOMO Caramel Filled Choc Drops
- Raw Gorilla Smooth & Silky Dark Cacao
- Tesco Free From 10 Bunnies and Chicks Adventure Hunt
Bronze Medal Winners
- Asda Free From Choc Orange Bar
- Asda Free From Choc Orange Egg
- Freedom Chocolate Dark Cherry Large Bar
- Morrisons The Best Free From Luxury Collection
- NOMO Hazelnot Choc Bar
- Ananda’s Round Up Hand Crafted Gluten Free ‘Waggon Wheel’
- Schär Melto
- Tesco Free From Cluckie the Choc Chick
- Truede Dark Chocolate & Coconut Covered Roasted Chickpeas
The Gift Category
Gold Medal Winners
- Booja Booja The Award-Winning Selection “a delightful & sophisticated selection. Not overly sweet yet wonderfully indulgent with lovely clean flavours & ingredients”
- NOSHY Artisan Energy Truffles The Connoisseurs Box “a stunning collection. The whole experience, from the outer box, all the way through the reveal to the first sight of the product and then the eat – they just continued to delight”
Silver Medal Winners
- Glitterbug Bakery Vegan Gingerbread House Kit (Pre-baked)
- Tesco finest Free From Orange & Maple Shortbread Tin
Bronze Medal Winners
Innovation Award – Sponsored by Nairns Oatcakes
Gold Medal Winners
- CRACKD – The NO-EGG EGG “a liquid egg replacer, an innovative, convenient & versatile solution”
- Creative Nature Cheeky Choc HazelNOT Gnawbles “a really clever product both in form & flavour”
- Planet Kuku Cauliflower Kuku “an egg & potato free frittata is impressive and epitomises innovation”
- VALA Energy Gel “innovation that is genuinely fit for purpose”
Silver Medal Winners
Bronze Medal Winners
- Explore Cuisine Organic Fava Bean Fusilli
- Fabalous Organic Crunchy Hazelnut & Cocoa Chickpea Spread
- Luna & Fennel Cauliflower Crust Pizza Bases
- Origin Kitchen Creamed Cashew Mushroom & Dill Spread
- Purition Wholefood Plant Nutrition Beetroot & Chocolate
- Shore The Scottish Seaweed Co. Lightly Salted Seaweed Chips
Almost Totally Free From
Gold Medal Winners
- Asda Free From Ready Rolled Puff Pastry “really impressive, great colour, excellent layers and crispy”
- Breakin’Bread Pumpkin, Sunflower & Chia Seeds Crispbread “a deliciously different crispbread with lovely textural contrasts”
Silver Medal Winners
- Cornitos Nacho Crisps – Mild Thai Sweet Chilli
- CRACKD – The NO-EGG EGG
- Prime Cashews Smooth Cashew Nut Butter
- Tesco Free From Gravy Granules for Beef
Bronze Medal Winners
Artisan Foods – Sponsored by Seedful
Gold Medal Winners
- Grind Nuts Deep Roast Peanut Butter “a wonderful rich colour with a strong & deep flavoured taste, a really authentic product”
Silver Medal Winners
- Freedom Chocolate Dark Large Bar
- Gaia Pulses Greek Butter Bean Stew
- Puddledub Honey and Mustard Pork Sausages
Bronze Medal Winners
Child & Teen Friendly Foods – Sponsored by Genius Gluten Free
Gold Medal Winners
- Asda Extra Special 12 Italian Style Meatballs “The meatballs were soft and moist and tasty – they did not dry out or shrink whilst cooking” “They were tightly packed and didn’t lose shape or crumble when cut” “I really love these! Very good!” “Tastes like a normal meatball. Not too peppery – I love them!” “Good flavour”
- Co-op Free From Easter Hunt Choc Filled Treats “These are amazing!! Can I have some more?” “I love the inside chocolate especially – I love putting my tongue in and getting all the creamy chocolate out” “They are amazing – so lovely to have something a bit different”
- CRAVE Kitchen Sink “This product should be sold in shops, it is fab” “I would recommend this to people” “Amazing, really good” “Fun design. Distinctive and recognisable”
- PLAYin CHOC ToyChoc Box “Totally wonderful, thank you!” “Makes you feel like you’re not left out”
Silver Medal Winners
- Asda Free From 15 Fish Bubble Bites
- Asda Free From 4 Choc Tree Decorations
- Moo Free White Mini-Bar
- Munch Free Mango & Carrot Oat Bar
- Tesco Free From 3 Choc Sticks
- Tesco Free From Battered Onion Rings
Bronze Medal Winners
Best Packaging for a FreeFrom Product
Gold Medal Winners
- Saintly British Apple Tarts “simple but considered with a well executed design both visually & structurally”
Silver Medal Winners
- Otzibrew Organic Chicory & Cordyceps Coffee Alternative
- Bellygoodness – White Sauce, Mediterranean Sauce, Chilli Sauce
- Celtic Marches Pulp Low Alcohol Ciders
- Co-op Free From Choc Easter Egg & Caramel Flavour Truffles
- CRACKD – The NO-EGG EGG
Bronze Medal Winners
Best Labelling for a FreeFrom Product – Sponsored by RSSL
Gold Medal Winners
- Little Bandits Banana Coconut Pot “a well presented product that successfully manages to deliver fun whilst not undermining, or making light of, what is a serious issue. This is not easy to achieve”
Silver Medal Winners
Bronze Medal Winners
Best Digital Presence for a Free From Brand – Sponsored by DigitalJen
Gold Medal Winners
- Bay’s Kitchen “they had everything we were looking for – screen lickability, stylish & informative social media and their business values and ethos running throughout their digital presence”
Silver Medal Winners
Best Product from a Start-Up – Sponsored by Tesco
Gold Medal Winners
- Calvin’s Original 5 Coconut Flatbreads “these have a lovely open texture with a real bounce – to achieve this using coconut flour and no eggs is impressive”
Silver Medal Winners
Bronze Medal Winners
Free From Hero Award – Sponsored by Natasha’s Allergy Research Foundation
Winner
Ruth Holroyd, What Allergy? “A prolific, and incredibly brave, communicator”
Special Award
Thomas Silvera, Elijah-Alavi Foundation “Such phenomenal achievements borne from tragic circumstances demonstrates just what an inspiration Thomas Silvera is”
