Hey folks!
So we’re very excited to announce that we will be part of the judging panel for this year’s Free from awards! The Awards launched last year and were a great success giving many businesses an opportunity to showcase their products and get recognition and interest from consumers and buyers.
Gold, Silver and Bronze are granted, along with a Merit badge for products still considered high
quality by the judges. Winners may 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.
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. Manufacturers and retailers are keenly aware of such projections with new product offerings often developed with freefrom-ness in mind.
Manufacturers of FreeFrom Foods are invited to enter online at www.fffa.ie or email info@fffa.ie. The entry process is simple and there are over 40 categories, in which products can be entered. The large number of categories ensures that the diversity of foods are judged aptly. Entries close February 28th so get entering quickly!
The Freefrom Food Awards also works to counter preconceptions of FreeFrom food being unpalatable. With such innovation and excellence as has developed over recent years, the Awards recognises the distance the market has come since gluten-free bread came in tins.
If you are interested about knowing any more information about different free from products that are available then check out their website www.fffa.ie.
Judging begins March 1st so best of luck to everyone entering and we look forward to seeing what yummy FreeFrom foods will be created!
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