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This year we welcomed a diverse range of lagers, IPAs and golden ales, several dark beers and, reflecting the market as a whole, many low-alcohol beers. Some come from small craft breweries, whilst others are made for national retail. The gluten free beer market has developed - with many brewers offering at least one gluten free beer, and an increasing number making their entire range gluten free. There is appetite for more variety, including wheat beer and sours and we look forward to welcoming new styles in 2023.

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Some of the most exciting and innovative developments in the drinks space are in Low & No. Traditional products like fermented tea have been rediscovered, which sit easily alongside wine and champagne. Products have alcohol removed in unique ways that still maintain flavour, using methods that limit the quantity of alcohol produced, and range from hand-crafted artisanal drinks to those manufactured for national retail. Products are often free from common allergens, and there is a requirement to list ingredients, which higher ABV drinks do not have to do.

In 2023, we look forward to welcoming the many wine alternatives and botanical elixirs as well as sparkling fermented drinks, all of which have yet to achieve their full market-reach.

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We were delighted to see vegan wine and prosecco in the awards, plus allergen-free spirits, and those quality botanical mixers that have recently come into their own whose complex flavours are always appreciated by judges. We also welcomed an assortment of premium drinks that would stand up well next to traditional cocktails, spirits, wines and mainstream soft drinks.

In 2023 we hope to see an even wider range of free from drinks that offer unique health and lifestyle benefits, whether they’re nutritional, botanical, functional, or just contain lower quantities of alcohol.

We welcomed a good selection of cereals, granolas & oats, plus baked goods & smoothies representing the array of foods now enjoyed at breakfast. Baked goods generated excitement, and the range and quality continues to evolve. A few keto & paleo products were lovely additions accommodating a niche market. Options for ‘on the go’ were limited: breakfast on the go is the reality many of us are dealing with on a regular basis; whether that be due to work, travel or just the school run!

In 2023, we would love to welcome smaller producers that offer something a little bit different or artisanal – there is definitely an appetite for this. Fortification is really welcomed, even in organic products.

A very large category including many staple products that are otherwise taken for granted: there is innovation and excitement to be found here! Innovation is challenging in a category that covers so many bases, and so it was pleasing to see entries ticking more free from boxes this year. Ambient sauces with the addition of stir fry pouches for mainstream retail are making the category more relevant to the needs of the free from consumer and aiding inclusivity, and in some instances there was no differential between the free from price and main category equivalent.

For 2023 we would be looking for more of the same, all those products that can be found in a cupboard or freezer that make up whole or parts of meals, accompany meals, ingredients and more.

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A consistently popular category where the quality & breadth of entries has come a long way, with plant-based being one of the latest trends here. This should be great news for the free from and allergic consumer but this is not always the case given PAL, which continues to cause frustration. We saw evidence of development in replicating main category brand leaders. This category can very broadly be split into large scale retail and artisanal (which this year were mostly raw) so these were judged separately. There was also a nod to healthier options.

For 2023 we’d like to see an increase in reduced sugar, healthier options, along with the use of more natural ingredients and reduced sugar, and we’ll again give focus to the raw offer. And we continue to remind potential entrants that this category also welcomes sweet confections!

This year it was all about ice creams … over half of entries ticked this box and within this there was a really good variety of form, flavour & free from claims! Whilst the basics are covered in the big retailers we'd love to showcase and support the smaller producers out there as we feel it really could be their time to shine: retailers are not currently offering many really innovative and crafted products.

For 2023 we would like to see more main dessert options, and products making multiple free from claims, especially milk free & egg free, as judges welcomed seeing a few vegan products catering for the free from & allergic consumer by being free of both milk and egg.

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Recognising that the snack occasion is now more than just bars, all entries in this category can be enjoyed between meals – some just nice while others are naughty & nice! From exotic dried fruit to chocolate coated roasted chickpeas and chocolate cornflake clusters, our judges' taste buds were certainly put through their paces. It was good to see more convenient packaging solutions which aided snacking on the go.

There are many options out there and we know what we have seen this year is a mere snapshot, so we have high hopes for this category in 2023.

Always a popular category with a varied entry from biscuits and cake bars to a doughnut and celebration cake. On the biscuit front the classics are well catered for, mimicking the main category alternatives exceptionally well and some also making a milk free claim. Judges noted a more innovative use of raw materials and felt that veganism and the desire for ‘cleaner’ living will have been, and continue to be, a driving force behind this.

We were however lacking any ‘soft bake’ cookies and a good free from scone. This could be an opportunity for a smaller, independent to steal the show in 2023 (how about a free from afternoon tea box?). We’d also welcome back some of the more traditional options which are now firmly established within the free from space.

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The growth of vegan and plant-based food is fuelling some exciting developments in the cheeses sector at all levels from national retail brands to artisanal producers. The divide is great between the products for national retail and hand crafted, artisanal options. The entries developed for mainstream retail have evolved both in quality & form, addressing more occasion needs which is great to see. And we welcomed many artisanal cheese alternatives, all well considered and technically challenging.

For 2023 we are looking to acknowledge this by having two judging categories for Cheese & Cheese Alternative to recognise and encourage development at both ends of the spectrum, and in order to promote both amongst the free from and allergic communities.

This year the emphasis in this category was on traditional favourites; and we welcomed both centre of plate items and meal accompaniments. Accessibility and inclusivity were both positive take-outs with main category options that have been developed to be free from key allergens OR free from products that would be acceptable for all. Insights suggest that most of us are eating at home as often as we did pre-pandemic and this is expected to increase as the cost of living rises and disposable income reduces. Those managing more severe food allergies and intolerances would also more often rather eat at home.

Potential for this category is great! In 2023, we want to welcome those diverse culinary options we know are out there. Free from & allergic consumers will continue to want chicken Kiev and sausages, but they’re also looking for innovation.

Pasta is a free from staple and pizza is becoming accessible to more and not just a special occasion meal. Entries this year included everything from staples to ‘date night’ offers, showcasing the comprehensive range of free from pasta now available. This variety has become sustainable due to the rise of veganism. The quality is good and there has been significant price investment which again is a huge step forward, aiding inclusivity.

For 2023, there is opportunity for a more premium option, elevating a pasta dish from a mid-week staple to a special occasion supper. And we know there are many free from pizza options out there, covering every requirement inclusive of top 14 free, milk free and vegan, and more!

Entries were diverse both in terms of the nature of the product & the market they were addressing. This year we welcomed some substantial snacking options including cassava cheese balls and a pasty. This is a great example of the new vs a traditional favourite, both of which are equally welcomed by the free from and allergic consumer. There was some genuine innovation among crisps and lighter snacking options too which has aided inclusivity, especially for allergic children and the party time occasion.

Flavour innovation is not always evident in the free from space; products tend towards keeping it safe with neutral flavours or replicating proven main category trends. For 2023, it would be good to see more solutions for ‘on the go’ and packed lunches; there are very few multipack options available. Healthier products would be welcomed.

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We welcomed a wide range of soups this year illustrating just how many are now available to the free from & allergic consumer. Food to go options are often very limited with fresh soups being a default option. Bowl Meals are another great option for ‘grab & go’ and this format offers an opportunity for existing products and ranges to broaden their offer. Given the occasion i.e. ‘grab & go’, clear labelling is even more important here, as consumers have even less time to interrogate labels!

For 2023 we would welcome more options that address the ‘on the go', single serve options and ‘healthier refuelling’ missions - soups, hot bowl meals & salad bowls, suitable for all seasons.

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The ultimate award for manufacturers who have gone above and beyond, creating foods that are free of all but one of the top 15 major allergens: these are the top 14 UK-recognised allergens plus peas and chickpeas which are own addition, which are a major problem for a growing number of UK allergy reactors. Entrants must be free of 14 allergens but entrants can choose which 14 they exclude.

This category is always really interesting with perspectives being challenged by those living with multiple allergies. You really do realise just how much of a difference some of these products make. It isn't always about the most innovative, but those that provide access to a product that had previously been off limits to so many.

Even within this category there were still many entries that some of our judges were unable to test. Our ambition for next year is for our 2022 sponsor, Julianne, founder of Creative Nature, to be able to test at least 50% of all entries!!

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We were so impressed with the quality of products entered this year. There is still a need for the gluten free staples as well as innovative savoury and sweet options that can be used by Food Service. Providing free from food for the catering sector opens up a large and expanding market for both large and small food companies. There are some exceptional free from products now available and by targeting the catering sector you will open your brand and products to a much greater audience.

We look forward to seeing this category grow in 2023.There is an opportunity for small independent companies to showcase their products alongside the large catering companies to help step-change the food service offer.

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This year we welcomed a good mix of entries both savoury and sweet, covering a range of occasions although breakfast and savoury options for lunches were rather lacking. Children, especially those managing often multiple food allergies, are very food aware, nutritionally conscious and they often have surprisingly sophisticated tastes - remember that our junior judges are our harshest judges of all! Their feedback is raw, real and often very amusing, providing our final judges with a very different perspective of a product.

Given the success of the judging process we will be running with the same format for 2023, and will be looking for entries that appeal to all ages from post toddler to late teens and cover all occasions relevant to this audience, from birthday parties and packed lunches to meal solutions and post-gym snacks.