Wold Top Brewery is delighted to announce that its Scarborough Fair IPA has won highly commended in the Gluten Free Beer category at the prestigious FreeFrom Food Awards 2013 on 16th April. Scarborough Fair IPA was one of over 340 products that were entered for the FreeFrom Food Awards, a record 37% increase on last year!
A team of 50 expert judges tested freefrom products across 15 categories including Plant ‘Milk’, Spread, Cheese & Desserts; FreeFrom Breakfast Cereals; Grocery; Ready Meals; and Savoury Biscuits and Snacks. In order to be eligible to enter the awards the products must be free from one or more of the ingredients (including wheat, gluten, dairy, eggs, yeast, nuts and soya) that trouble so many people. It is estimated that globally between 220 and 250 million people suffer from food allergies (World Allergy Organisation) and this figure is continuing to rise.
Of the commendation, Kate Mellor said; “This is the second time that we have been highly commended in the Free From awards and we are delighted to receive this prestigious award as we were up against a long list of really good beers.”
Commenting on the results Michelle Berriedale-Johnson, editor of FoodsMatter who chairs the judging sessions said: “There were many products that were free from a number of allergens, yet tasted and looked as good as any conventional product and we recognise that to achieve this takes significant skill and investment from the food industry. Our congratulations to the winners and to those whose products were commended; the standard this year was the highest yet and we look forward to seeing what 2014 will bring!”
The range, quality and innovation of the winning and commended products is further evidence of the growth of the freefrom sector in the UK, which is currently valued at £240 million and expected to grow to £519 million by 2016 – a year on year growth of 15.5 %.(Kantar World Panel).
The FreeFrom Food Awards have been instrumental in driving new product development and improving the quality and choice of freefrom foods that are available. For more information on the awards visit www.freefromfoodawards.co.uk.
For information on freefrom food visit www.freefromfoodsmatter.com and for information on food allergy and intolerance visit: www.foodsmatter.com. You can also follow us on Twitter @FFFoodawards and @FreeFromFood.