As a child there weren’t safe free from options, it didn’t even feel like there were options. The only products I had were ones that just didn’t say may contain my allergens. 

I had a really hard time as a child, feeling isolation, excluded and a burden around food and food activities. As the years went on, allergy and free from products got better and more advanced, but I was still skeptical. I was scarred from certain experiences and reactions in my teens.

Since starting The Allergy Table in 2015 and this blog in 2018, I have discovered incredible products, and my eating habits as expanded like never before. There are so many reasons why this is the case - more allergic reactors, more people starting allergy and free from companies, more people requesting the food and drink industry do better, and one of the biggest reasons has been the Free From Food Awards, which started in 2008. 

Since the beginning of the Free From Food Awards, not only have independent brands been producing free from food and drinks but major retailers have discovered that this is an area that needs to be met, and finally our time has come. The awards allow these companies to get accolades for their products. They show that free form is important, but they also help us, as consumers, be a place to find products - that are safe AND delicious. The awards are broken down into multiple categories, with product entrants from small and large brands. Some exciting categories for the 2022 awards are the nut and peanut free product of the year, almost totally free from, Easter, and child and teen-friendly. 

That is why I am so honoured to announce to you that The Allergy Table will be sponsoring the Child and Teen-Friendly category for the Free From Food 2022 awards. It is a privilege that I can facilitate children and teens sharing and enjoying free from foods and include them deciding which products are the best of the year - a luxury I never received. 

The Allergy Table was born out of a desire for more inclusion and this is probably the biggest feat I have ever done. 

I want to take you on the journey of this process- share with you our judges and the products entered. Plus invite you to the awards ceremony in 2022. 

Here are the 2021 winners 

More information about the FFFA 

My blog for when I was a judge in 2020 (I am a judge for the main awards too)

If you are a company and want to enter the awards: https://www.freefromfoodawards.co.uk/2022-freefromfoodawards/

I hope you are as excited to go on this journey with me and hopefully I can continue to do this more in the future!