
Entry Guide
To qualify for entry to the Free From Food Awards, all entries
- must be free of at least one of the top 14 UK-listed major allergens
- must be commercially available nationwide by the date specified, meaning sold through independent retailers, online or a multiple retailer (except Food Service for which the equivalent is required in wholesale).
- must be available to buy from a valid UK website (except for in-store only retailers).
The full Terms and Conditions of entry into the Free From Awards can be found here. By submitting an entry you are agreeing to our Terms & Conditions.
Key Dates
- Entry opens 10am Tuesday 3rd January 2023
- Entry deadline 5pm Friday February 3rd – but you will be able to edit product entry forms until 5pm Friday 10th February
- Judging takes place February/March 2023
- Finalists published Wednesday 19th April
- Awards Presentation PartyMay/June 2023
- Product feedback available on request
Entry Fees
- £185 + VAT per product or £105 + VAT per product for Small Companies (3 or fewer employees)
The Entry Process
If you need any help with your entry, please email us or phone 07790869706. There is a real person at the end of this line, so if there is no answer please leave a message or send a text, and you will get a reply.
First step – registering yourself or logging in
Head over to the top right of the website, and click on Account Logins. Select ‘Log in to Free From Food Awards’.
Then either:
- Create an account with all your contact details. Please make sure to enter all details correctly.
- Log in to your existing account and make sure all details remain up to date.
Second step – selecting categories and submitting entry information
Go to the Entry Page and select which categories you’d like to enter
For each product, create a new entry form and fill in the 15 mandatory questions
You can save the form as you go, and come back to edit it up until date specified – the entry forms can be found in your account in ‘Saved’ on the lefthand side.
Submit the entry form – at this point the cost for the entry will be added to your basket
Third step – making payment
Please make payment via debit card or credit card. You will receive a VAT invoice once payment has been made
If you wish to pay another way, please click ‘Send me and Invoice’
You’re now entered into the Free From Food Awards
You can see all your entries in your account. Simply log in, and click on ‘Complete’ on the lefthand side where you will see all your entries.
The Judging Process
Sending in Samples
Once you have submitted your entry forms you will receive an email with the following details:
Judging category dates – the exact date and time of each judging session
Delivery dates for samples – a window of about 7 days within which we can receive your samples
Please mark clearly how you would like your product to be stored: Ambient, Chilled or Frozen. We have fridges, freezers and cool stores suitable for all types of storage
Amounts you will be required to send – please do not send less than we ask for – all leftovers will be distributed to our partner City Harvest
Delivery address with precise location and instructions
You must make sure your product will be within date (shelf life has not expired) at the time of judging
The Judging Sessions
Our judging sessions are run with 4 – 6 expert judges – you can read more about them here
Products are judged blind and are made up by kitchen cooks to the instructions on pack. Products entered into the Child & Teen Friendly Foods category will not be judged blind, for a fuller user experience.
Our judges can see the 15 mandatory fields you have filled in for each product, and can choose to read any of the extra details you have provided if they so wish.
The Results Process
The Finalists will be published online on Wednesday 19th April. Finalists will be able to download a logo here and must adhere to usage guidelines.
Invitations to the Awards Presentation Party in May/June will have been sent out – please make sure to log in and buy yourself a ticket. You can buy tickets for your guests as well.
Winners will be announced at the Physical Party in May/June (covid or any other pandemic allowing) and we warmly invite all entrants, friends, sponsors and judges to join us for the very best free from networking event in the calendar!