Four from Northern Ireland on FreeFrom Awards shortlist

Four Northern Ireland companies are shortlisted for the final stages of the annual FreeFrom Food Awards 2016, the UK's only industry awards for free from food. The shortlisted companies are: Mash Direct, Comber, county Down in the Innovation category for its Cauliflower Cheese Gratin; Linwoods, Armagh, county Armagh for its Milled Flax, Chia Seed with Apple and Cinnamon, Squeeze Wheatgrass of Warrenpoint, county Down for its Wheatgrass and Beetroot Juice inthe Superfoods category, and Rule of Crumb, Antrim, county Antrim for Breaded Cod Fish Fillets; Rule of Crumb is also shortlisted in the Food Designed for Children with two products - Chicken Goujons and Cod Fish Fingers. FreeFrom is a rapidly growing category in Northern Ireland food and drink. The FreeFrom Food Awards were started in 2008 by FoodsMatter and FreeFrom Foods Matter to encourage innovation and celebrate excellence in the freefrom food industry. The awards are entirely independent, supported by sponsorship and entry fees only. Sponsors include Tesco, Asda, Genius and Holland and Barratt. FreeFromFoods Matter is the web's most comprehensive resource for free-from food which focuses on the innovation and imagination shownby the food industry in creating foods that are free of wheat, gluten, dairy, eggs, nuts, soya, sulphites and other allergens. Eligible food and drink products must be free from at least one of 14 major allergens and must be able to substantiate their claims with independent laboratory reports. Over 250 products were shortlisted in 18 different categories. The winners will be announced at a gala presentation in London on 26th April.