The UK's only industry awards for free from food & drink

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The UK’s only industry awards for free from food & drink

All categories are carefully considered and reviewed each year, on-boarding our learnings along with those of our judges and entrants. The process is extensive and includes consultations with industry stakeholders and consumers before these are set. 

It is our aim to recognise the breadth of the offer now available, covering all occasions, and the often complex needs of the free from and allergic consumer. 

If, having read the Category descriptions you are still unsure of where your entry would best fit, please contact us.

And here is what’s NEW for 2024!

1. Sustainability Award:

We are thrilled to announce our newest award, an end-to end sustainability assessment developed in partnership with Sustainable Kitchen Consultants, covering all 3 pillars of sustainability: People, Planet, Profit. For detail of the award and how to apply, please go to this page.

2. Drink Awards:

We are thrilled to announce a NEW 2024 logo, recognising our Free From Drink Awards that stands independent and mighty!!

2. Meal Solutions – Grab & Go:

The shopper mission here is clear: a grab & go option that addresses breakfast on route to the office or something to look forward to at lunchtime when working in the office or at home. 

3. Tea Time is becoming two separate categories: ‘Biscuits & Cookies’ and ‘Cakes & Bakes’

Always a popular category, and one that has been with us from the very beginning. We tend to split the judging due to the number of entries so this year we’re making this official with two entry categories. This is a category that attracts entrants of all sizes from the retail giants to independent bakeries and we ensure that every entry is judged accordingly.

4. Tree Nut & Peanut Free: 

Whilst we welcome entries that are free from multiple allergens, this category is all about acknowledging the growing number of products that have invested in developing and manufacturing a nut safe product.  To ensure this category is representative of the entries we receive, there will this year be two entry routes:

  • Main Category Entry – this may be a product that contains other allergens but is tree nut and peanut free or the USP of the product is the fact that it is nut safe. 
  • Supplementary Category Entry – if you have a tree nut & peanut free product that you are entering in a main food / drink category, there will be the option for you to enter it here as well. There will be a supplementary charge of £75 and samples will need to be provided for judging.

For detail of the award and how to apply, please go to this page.

5. Speciality:

Uniquely among the categories, and NEW for 2024, we do not require entries into this category to be available nationwide, thus recognising quality regional foods.

6. Gifting & Celebration

NEW for 2024, an evolution of our Christmas Awards’ Gifting category which recognises the wider celebratory occasions that we have throughout the year, and open to AYR gifting products, celebratory cakes and party foods. 

Main Categories

Our categories enable us to recognise a wide selection of products covering all occasions and acknowledging the often complex needs of the free from consumer.

Main Categories listed here require direct entries. To find out more about entering, please read our Entry Guide.

If you are ready to enter, please either create or log in to your account via the Account Logins link top right; or simply click through via the link in each category below which will take you directly to the category entry form you have chosen.

Easter 

Within the 2024 Awards cycle, the Easter Award has its own identity, and is judged and wins announced and celebrated early, allowing entrants to share any medal success in advance of Easter. The Easter offer has blossomed in recent years and so has the interest in this category.

This year we will have at least 4  judging sub-categories:

  • Easter: Eggs
  • Easter: Confectionery & Gifting
  • Easter: Hot Cross Buns
  • Easter: Cakes & Bakes 

As with Christmas, Easter is a time when consumers often look for something special or a little bit different, so this category presents a great opportunity for smaller, independent producers as well as the larger brands and retailers. 

Find the Easter 2023 WINNERS here! 

International Recognition

Sponsored for 2024 by

This award is designed to recognise quality & innovation in free from food and drink outside of the UK market, potentially helping brands build awareness in the UK but more importantly gain valuable insights not only on their product but the suitability of the product for the UK market. For more, please go to this page.

Breakfast and Morning Goods

The most important meal of the day. Maybe this is why we have traditionally always opened our judging with this category. 

As Breakfast options have evolved so has the category, and we welcome everything from cereals, granolas & oats to the once elusive baked goods & smoothies.

We recognise the ‘staple’ nature of many breakfast products but it is our ambition that this category showcases products beyond this, elevating the breakfast occasion and looking to some of the smaller producers. Options for  breakfast ‘on the go’ would be welcomed as this is the reality many of us are dealing with; whether that be due to work, travel or just the school run. We would suggest these are entered in the Grab & Go category, NEW for 2024.

We would suggest options developed for, or of high relevance to, the younger consumer be entered in the Child & Teen category and that any Keto products be entered in the Keto category.

This cover-all category includes staple products that are otherwise taken for granted and whose existence aids flexibility for the free from cook.

Ambient sauces, stir fry pouches, pasta/noodles and condiments can all fulfil the needs of the free from and allergic consumer when looking for a quick & speedy meal with minimal effort. 

All products that can be found in a cupboard or freezer that make up whole or parts of meals, accompanying meals, ingredients, mixes, dehydrated or tinned goods, stocks and so much more! There is innovation and excitement to be found here, in a category that covers so many bases.

For 2024 all dried pasta products should be entered in this category as this is very much a store cupboard staple although fresh & filled pastas should be entered in the respective meal solutions category.

Milk Product Alternatives

A category where the explosion in plant based and vegan has vastly increased the offer with brands, on the whole, effectively addressing both the free from and vegan audience. 

Will entries of milk alternatives offer anything new this year? We’ve had just about every option represented in recent years from soya and coconut to pistachio and potato. And within this, occasion need has been a consideration whether that be a barista style, to serve with cereal or as a standalone drink. 

BUT this category is more than milk alternatives, it’s open to yoghurts, kefirs, butters & spread, sour cream, mascarpone, condensed milk, curds, buttermilk, clotted cream, creme fraiche, whipped cream and more!

Breads

For many, bread is the single most important free from product, forming part of so many meal occasions. From the everyday basket items of toasting and sandwich loaves to rolls, wraps, bagels, ‘weekend’ and speciality breads, manufacturers of all sizes have something valuable to bring to the category. 

We sub-categorise entries by type and production methods to ensure that every entry is judged fairly for the market/need it is addressing. 

Cheese Alternatives

The demand for vegan and plant based food fuels exciting developments in the milk free cheese sector at all levels, and the divide is great between products for national retail and hand crafted, artisanal options.

Quality cheeses developed for main category fulfil the staple weekly shop needs, whereas artisanal cheese alternatives are there for special occasions and cheese boards.

We acknowledge the different cheese occasion requirements by having two sub-categories for Cheese Alternatives to recognise and encourage development at both ends of the spectrum, and in order to promote both amongst the free from and allergic communities.

Centre of Plate Items

We look forward to welcoming an array of options here from best selling breaded poultry and sausages to pies, vegetarian alternatives and maybe some more diverse culinary options. A great category for mainstream products that safely accommodate and include the free from and allergic consumer.

Savoury Snacking

In this category we encourage a diverse range of entries. We welcome anything that could be enjoyed as a savoury snack, in formats including single bags, multipacks and sharing/large bags. Products such as crisps, pretzels, tortilla chips, as well as nut butters & hot snacks such as a sausage roll or pasty would all be great entries for this category. 

This year crackers and oatcake-style products should be entered in this category as they too largely address the savoury snacking occasion.

Confectionery

Sponsored for 2024 by

A consistently popular category whose chocolate entries can broadly be split into large scale retail and artisanal. The artisanal entries (such as raw chocolates) are judged separately in a sub-category. We welcome replications of main category brand leaders, nods to healthier options and the use of more natural ingredients, and this category is not just about chocolate, sweet confections are also welcomed.

We welcome the basics (often covered by the big retailers) as well as innovative, crafted products by smaller producers. Products making multiple free from claims, especially vegan products catering for the free from & allergic consumer by being both milk and egg free, increase the inclusivity for often the most anticipated yet tricky meal to cater for! Traditional cobblers and crumbles, ice creams, trifles and mousse, as well as puddings and baked desserts are all perfect for entry here.

From the biscuit classics that mimic their main category counterparts to handcrafted cookies and everything in between. Our judges put entries through their paces but the biggest question: to dunk or not to dunk?

Tea Time: Cakes & Bakes

Everything from traditional cakes to tray bakes, slices, doughnuts, scones. If it isn’t a biscuit and you could enjoy it with a cup of tea then this is the category. Celebration cakes should be entered into our NEW Gifting & Celebration category.

Almost Totally Free From

Sponsored for 2024 by

This is the ultimate award for manufacturers who have gone above and beyond, creating foods that are free of 15 allergens: these are the top 14 UK-listed major allergens plus 1 extra: peas and chickpeas, a major problem for a growing number of UK allergy reactors. 

Entries must be free from 14 allergens, with no precautionary allergen labelling (PAL) for these 14, but entrants can choose which 14 they exclude.

This is always an interesting category, with perspectives being challenged by those living with multiple allergies, and raises real awareness of how big a difference some of the entries here make. It isn’t always about the most innovative, it could be products that provide access to something that had previously been off limits, or those that have gone that extra mile to ensure more free from and allergic consumers are able to safely enjoy their product. 

Sponsored for 2024 by

Open to products supplied, or with the potential to supply, to the hospitality sector.

Providing free from food for the catering sector opens up a large and expanding market and this category offers the opportunity for small independent companies to showcase their products alongside the large catering companies to help step-change the food service offer.

There is a need in food service for more free from products from the basic staples all the way through to innovative savoury and sweet options. And the more inclusive the product, both in quality and free from, the more appealing it is.

Child & Teen

One of our favourite categories, and unique in that most of the feedback comes directly from the customers that entries are addressing,  children and teenagers, which allows for genuine and honest feedback!

This category is not judged blind as this allows us to get feedback on the full product experience and enriches the insights.

This year we are planning a number of groups with a focus on the occasion so we can better position each of the entries to our judges. So from breakfast and packed lunches to post school or gym snacks & supper time, if you have a product that is designed for, or highly relevant to, the child or teen audience then this could be the category for you. 

Innovation

Sponsored for 2024 by

One of our most celebrated & interesting categories, with much lively debate!

Innovation is crucial to the continuing success of any organisation and within the free from world innovation is disproportionately important, with new or significantly altered products potentially making a huge difference to the lives of the free from and allergic consumer. 

Whether they’re replicating foods and drinks popular in the main category offer, or trying something new (for free from) and tricky to accomplish, or using new or different formats of ingredients, or whether simply introducing exciting packaging styles.  

Innovation here could be a new concept for the free from market, a category leading quality evolution, an innovative use of ingredients or manufacturing techniques, unusual recipes, or new ways to deliver health or flavour.

We have the capacity to recognise different sized companies here, with awards to:

  • micro companies with a turnover of between £0-£300,000
  • small companies with a turnover of between £301,000- £3,000,000
  • large companies with a turnover of between <£3,000,001

Tree Nut & Peanut Free

Whilst we welcome entries that are free from multiple allergens, this category is all about acknowledging the growing number of products that have invested in developing and manufacturing a nut safe product. 

Entries here have to be free from both tree nuts and peanuts and with no precautionary allergen labelling (PAL) for either. 

From cereals and breads to cakes & bars, a diverse category and one we want to be the ‘go to’ for those seeking delicious nut safe options.

To ensure this category is representative of the entries we receive, there will this year be two entry routes:

If you JUST want to enter your product into this category, please lick here to take you to the Tree Nut & Peanut Free Main Category Entry Form (this may be a product that contains other allergens but is tree nut and peanut free or the USP of the product is the fact that it is nut safe).

Sponsored for 2024 by

A small but perfectly formed category that puts small, independent producers in the spotlight. A great platform for smaller brands to widen their reach and for the free from consumer to make a discovery! We are looking here for unique and high-value food items, typically made in smaller quantities, often hand-made or with an artisanal element,  and from high-quality ingredients. 

Uniquely among the categories, and NEW for 2024, we do not require entries into this category to be available nationwide, thus recognising quality regional foods.

We have the capacity to recognise different sized companies here, with awards to:

  • micro companies with a turnover of between £0-£300,000
  • small companies with a turnover of between £301,000- £3,000,000
  • large companies with a turnover of between <£3,000,001

Drinks Categories

Gluten Free Beers

We welcome both gluten free and gluten removed beers, including lagers, IPAs and golden ales, dark beers and, reflecting the market as a whole, many ‘small’ beers, table beers and low-alcohol beers. Some come from small craft-breweries, whilst others are brewed for national retail.  

The gluten free beer market has developed vastly in the last few years – with many brewers offering at least one gluten free beer, and an increasing number making their entire range gluten free. 

There is appetite for more variety, including gluten free wheat & fruit beers and sours and we look forward to welcoming more, new styles into the awards.

Supplementary Categories

These categories are bolt-ons; in order to qualify, you need to enter the same product into a main category (any of the above categories). Supplementary categories carry a reduced fee of £75 + VAT per entry (no discount available):

Sponsored for 2024 by

Open to young companies with at least one entry into a main food or drink category, this category is designed to encourage and make a real difference to a start up manufacturer poised to accelerate their free from growth ambition.

This category is only open to companies who started trading after January 2nd 2022. Proof of trading start date will be required upon entering. This can be a Companies House date of incorporation certificate or confirmation from your accountant. Any product can be entered into this award, but must also be entered into a main category.

Judging will be undertaken with a team from category sponsor Tesco, who also offer the winning entry mentoring, making entry in this category a unique opportunity and of great value to previous winners. 

Tree Nut & Peanut Free 

Whilst we welcome entries that are free from multiple allergens, this category is all about acknowledging the growing number of products that have invested in developing and manufacturing a nut safe product.  Once you have entered your tree nut & peanut free product in a main food / drink category, you can enter it here as a supplementary category entry as well. There will be a supplementary charge of £75 and samples will need to be provided for judging.

Additional Awards

To be eligible for any of these awards below, products must be entered into main categories. You cannot enter a product directly into these awards – but products entered into main categories may, if they fulfil the criteria below, win!

Free From Brands of the Year

This award recognises the role of brands in the development of the free from sector. This award considers the products in a brand’s range.

To qualify for this award, entrants will need to have entered a minimum of 3 products into the awards for a ‘Small or Micro Brand’, and 6 for a ‘Large Brand’.

We determine micro, small & large as per our entry fee criteria:

  • Micro: turning over £0-£300,000
  • Small: turning over £300,001- £3,000,000
  • Large: turning over <£3,000,001

Free From Products of the Year Awards

Retailer Free From Food / Free From Food / Free From Drink

Sponsored for 2024 by

The Free From Food Awards presentation culminates in three awards given to individual food and drink products: two from brands, and one from a retailer – these are the best of the best, where gold winners in each category go head to head to be crowned with these prestigious titles.  They are the awards that everyone wants to win and inevitably receive the most amount of coverage and promotion during and after the event.

These awards are:

  • Retailer Free From Food Product of the Year
  • Free From Drink Product of the Year
  • Free From Food Product of the Year

Free From Retailers of the Year

Sponsored for 2024 by

oakland international, freefrom food awards, sponsor

Our well established award recognising the crucial role that the supermarkets play in the free from sector. We will be making two awards this year:

  • Large Retailer of the Year (for big shop mission retailers)
  • Convenience Retailer of the Year (for limited range retailers)

Large ROTY requires a minimum entry of 40 products into full price categories, of which the top scoring 30 will be considered for this award.
Convenience ROTY requires a minimum entry of 20 products into full price categories, of which the top scoring 15 will be considered for this award.