Enter the FreeFrom Food Awards
Are you a FreeFrom food supplier or manufacturer? The 2017 FreeFrom Food Awards are open for entry…
Manufacturers of FreeFrom Foods are invited to enter the 2017 FreeFrom Food awards at www.fffa.ie or email info@fffa.ie.
The entry process is simple and there are over 40 categories to enter. Supporting and targeting innovative and excellent products, the Freefrom Food Awards work to counter preconceptions of FreeFrom food being unpalatable – recognising the distance the market has come since gluten-free bread came in tins.
Getting started in 2016
Taking place in Ireland in 2016 for the first time, there were over 91 brands and more than 390 entries into the 40 category event, with many brands benefiting from the opportunity to herald their products as award winning.
Originating in the UK, the Irish awards were founded by coeliac businessman John Burke. The process from call to entry, to judging, to the official awards ceremony in May, is in full swing with over 40 brands already signed up.
Gold, Silver and Bronze are granted, along with a Merit badge for products still considered high quality by the judges. Winners can display the relevant badge on their packaging, which helps consumers wading through the extensive freefrom sections of their stores to discern which products are best.
Breakfast cereals to cakes can be entered
Categories are diverse from pasta to ready meals, cakes to crisps and bread products to breakfast cereals.
The range of freefrom foods has grown exceptionally as more people are either diagnosed with coeliac disease, gluten intolerance or lactose intolerance or allergies to one of the 14 allergens recognised by EU law.
Also helping to increase the market is the emergence of lifestyle freefromers – people who shop in the freefrom section because of the perceived health benefit from consuming these products. The gluten-free category alone is valued at €29 million, with sales of €40 million projected by 2020, according to Bord Bia.
Winners launched in 450 stores
Rule of Crumb director Colum McLornan said it was a great boost to the company when it’s gluten-free profiteroles won the product of the year award last year. ” Since winning the awards we have received great interest from consumers and buyers. The profiteroles launched in 450 Sainsbury’s in January and will launch in 150 SuperValu stores in March. Having a winning product really helps to break into these areas,” he said.
FreeFrom Food Awards Ireland Founder John Burke said he was passionate and excited to see new and familiar brands constantly innovating where previously there weren’t alternatives. He said: ‘It can be an emotional milestone to try a food you’ve never had, that others take for granted. The importance of the Awards is that we embrace and encourage food producers for continuing to develop everyday foods that by their nature, just shouldn’t be FreeFrom, yet are not only suitable dietary substitutes, but taste excellent!”
The FreeFrom Food Awards is delighted to have many stalwart freefrom brands involved in the awards, with long-term producer, Juvela sponsoring the Special Services to the Industry Award.
Enter at www.fffa.ie.
You can find the full list of last year’s winners here: FreeFrom Food Award Winners 2016.
You would be hard pushed to find a nicer cake than the Wildberry Bakery, passed off to many non-coeliacs undetected!
