The Benedict Blythe Foundation Honoured With Free From Hero Award 2026

Uniquely combining industry recognition, product tasting, allergen education, and community celebration in an evening!

Exclusive functional free-from cocktails and a buffet bursting with delicious, award-winning products set the tone for the 19th annual Free From Awards. Held in Kensington, London, on Thursday 11th June, the event brought together leaders from across the sector to celebrate the best free from food and drink.

The evening began with the presentation of the Free From Hero Award 2026 to The Benedict Blythe Foundation for the implementation of Benedict’s Law: a set of national protections (coming into force September 2026) designed to improve allergy safety for children in schools, and ensure staff have the knowledge and tools to respond fast when emergencies occur.

Top prizes went to long-standing producers Schar, who scooped Large Brand of the Year for excellence across the majority of their entries, and Warburtons Gluten Free whose new flatbreads received a gold alongside their tiger bloomer. And the smaller independents headed home clutching scores of awards, four apiece for My Gluten Free Bakery and Dilightful, who also won Small and Micro Brands of the Year respectively!

“A clear market gap and genuine innovation bringing free from into mainstream” earned Borough 22’s Yum Yum the Food Product of the Year, and M&S Made Without Gluten Free Colin the Caterpillar who took the gluten free community by storm earlier this year winning Retailer Product of the Year: “GF Colin looks almost identical but is 40g BIGGER and the price is the same: demonstrating exactly how important free from is to the wonderfully creative teams at M&S - inclusivity at its finest.”

Judges were thrilled to recognise innovation in Barhi’s Date-Based Spiced Mead and Wine That’s Fruit golds, with Drink Awards’ Product of The Year going to Aqua Glow’s Mango Passion: “Fantastic concept in a growing market. The inclusion of a substantial, functional quantity of collagen in a light, refreshing sparkling drink”.

Tesco retained the crown as Retailer of the Year, sponsored by logistics experts Oakland International, reigning supreme on the sheer breadth and accessibility of its range. From everyday staple Gold winners like their White Rolls and budget-friendly 75p family pastas, to premium finest* lines and highly inclusive Top 14 free meal kits, the supermarket continues to impress. Their win underscores a commitment to ensuring a broader, safer, and more accessible provision of free from food and drink for every budget.

“Benedict’s Law will be a step change for the allergic community in the way that Natasha’s Law was and continues to be” comments Awards’ CEO, Cressida Langlands. “The incredible standard of tonight’s winners demonstrates just how vital a benchmark these awards remain. For 19 years, we have guided and celebrated this sector, and as we gear up for our momentous 20th anniversary next year, the energy, inclusivity, and brilliant innovation we’ve seen tonight proves that the free from industry is stronger, safer, and more delicious than ever.”

The Free From Food Awards, the UK's only industry awards for ‘free from’ food and drink, were launched in 2008 to encourage innovation and celebrate excellence in the free from food and drink industry.

All medallists and Special Awards winners can be found here, and all party photos plus presentations slides and logos can be found here.