THE Free From Christmas Awards 2023 celebrated the triumph of independent brands, with NOMO and Mindful Brands emerging victorious in the categories of Free From Christmas Food of the Year and Free From Christmas Drink of the Year, respectively.
The Free From Awards, established in 2008 by the allergy website FoodsMatter, are the UK’s sole industry awards dedicated to free from food and drink. These awards aim to encourage innovation and celebrate excellence in the free from food and drink industry. They operate independently and are supported solely by sponsorship and entry fees.
Mindful Brands’ Soldadera Blanco Non-Alcoholic Tequila Alternative was named the Free From Christmas Drink of the Year. This innovative beverage offers all the allure of tequila without the alcohol content, catering to the needs of those seeking an alcohol-free option. Notably, it is free from the top 14 allergens, emphasising its commitment to inclusivity and ensuring everyone can enjoy a round of “tequila” shots without exclusion.
For the third consecutive year, Tesco secured the highly coveted Christmas Range of the Year award. Tesco’s comprehensive Christmas shopping experience stood out for its ability to cater adeptly to customers with diverse dietary requirements, including vegans, vegetarians, and omnivores.
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NOMO, an esteemed independent brand, not only retained its title as the Best Independent Brand but also received recognition for their Mint Sharing Box, a strong contender in the market for classic after-dinner mints.
The announcement of the winners, eagerly anticipated by the industry, took place on November 1st via Twitter and Instagram.
Cressida Langlands, CEO of the Free From Awards, highlighted the significant increase in participation this year, stating, “Not only were entry numbers up 50% on last year, but we also witnessed a great deal of innovation across free from, with products that did not merely mimic what’s available in the main category.”
The Free From Christmas Awards will reopen for entries in July 2024. In the meantime, the Free From Food Awards 2024 (for non-seasonal food and drink) and the beloved Easter Award will accept entries starting from January 2nd, 2024.
