Northern Irish companies in line for Irish Food Awards

More than 60 products from upwards of 40 Northern Ireland food and drink companies have been shortlisted in the 2016 Blas na hEireann Irish Food Awards.

The awards, the winners of which will be announced at the start of October as part of the annual Dingle Food Festival in county Kerr. The awards are the biggest blind-tasted food competition on the island of Ireland.

The awards use a judging system that is recognised as an international standard of excellence by the University of Copenhagen.

The awards are open to all food and drink companies from the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland companies also have an impressive track record in the awards which are watched closely by retailers seeking new product ideas.

The shortlisted Northern Ireland companies range from industry leaders such as Dale Farm, Belfast, Avondale Foods of Lurgan, county Armagh and Linden Foods of Dungannon, county Tyrone to smaller enterprises including Passion Preserved of Lisburn, county Antrim, Tempted Cider, also from Lisburn, Neary Nogs Chocolate of Newry, county Down, and Dart Mountain Cheese of Dungiven, county Derry.

Now in its 9th year, Blas na hEireann, The Irish Food Awards is the biggest competition for quality Irish produce on the island of Ireland. Over 2,500 products were entered into the 2016 competition to win Gold, Silver and Bronze Awards in over 100 food and drink categories as well as key awards such as Supreme Champion and Best Artisan Producer.
Research has shown that the Blas accreditation has the highest recognition amongst Irish consumers and using the award logo on packs encourages shoppers to buy these products. It is their guarantee of a top quality Irish product.

The awards is a non-for profit organisation and was founded so that quality benchmarks could be established for Irish produce on a level playing field.

Northern Ireland category winners in 2015 included Linden Foods, Dungannon, county Tyrone, Hannan Meats, Moira, county Down, Willowbrook Foods, Killinchy, county Down, Heatherlea Bakery, Bangor, county Down, Broighter Gold Rapeseed, Limavady, county Derry, White's Oats, Tandragee, county Armagh, and Dart Mountain Cheese Company, Dungiven, county Derry.