Video: World Food Innovation Awards – best free-from product

The breadth of innovation in the best new free-from product category at the World Food Innovation Awards 2016 reflects a growing interest in free-from products, be it for health or lifestyle reasons.

Kent & Fraser’s range of cherry, pecan and poppy seed toast is free from gluten, wheat and GMOs. Crisp, crunchy and brimming with delightful flavours, the artisan twice-baked toasts are a perfect accompaniment to soft brie but can be eaten on their own as a healthy snack.

The Heart of Nature developed Pure Grain Bread – an exceptional, unique, healthy and nutritious loaf of bread without flour or yeast, the company said. Aimed at people who are acutely aware of the importance of wellbeing, it delivers vitamins A, C, E, B6 and F; antioxidants; omega-3 fatty acids; and fibre. It is available in original, which is full of pumpkin and sunflower seeds; or, for additional benefits, with quinoa, chia seeds, black cumin, cranberries, plum, chokeberries, goji berries or açaí berries.

MannaVida nominated itself no-knead, artisan, gluten-free bread kit range with integral baking tray. Each 25kg requires bakers to add water, mix, rise and bake – and makes the bread making process much easier for a range of foodservice operators. From pack to plate in 45 minutes, the bread has an artisan taste and texture and is full of natural antioxidants.

BFree Foods showcased its quinoa and chia seed wraps with teff seeds and flaxseeds, a unique offering from the Irish free-from brand that delivers a slow release of energy throughout the day and contains just 105 calories in each fibre-packed wrap.

With demand for gluten-free nutrition increasing, Inkka began offering consumers the UK’s first Peruvian 100% quinoa pasta, which draws upon the superfood as a rich source of calcium, iron, phosphorous and omega-3, -6 and -9. Ready in six minutes, the pasta contains all the amino acids necessary to support life, as well as more “biological value” than rice, barley and soya.

On a similar note, Symingtons brought to the table its Ilumi rice noodle snack pots, which are gluten-free and perfect for a healthy lunchtime bite or handy snack. Easily prepared, each pot contains less than 1g of fat and no more than 300 calories.

And Irish food manufacturer Mr Cumb presented its gluten-free sage and onion stuffing, made with real Irish butter and sautéed onions. Available with a recommended sale price of £3.50 and sold in 200g packs, which can be reheated in the microwave in just two minutes, the product is the result of extensive investment from the brand in the development of a gluten-free fresh breadcrumb stuffing.

Sacla launched a free-from creamy whole cherry tomato pasta sauce, which uses tofu to give it a perfect creamy texture and flavour packed with cherry tomatoes.

And there was no shortage of innovations in the free-from snack category.

Jungle Bar from Crowbar Protein is a “unique snack bar that’s smack full of essential nutrients” derived from crickets – 75 in each snack bar, to be precise. The cricket flour is mixed with seeds, fruits and chocolate for a more sustainable alternative to traditional snack bar offerings.

Yumsh Snacks entered its Lucia Popperley’s cappuccino popcorn from its Ten Acre brand – with an innovative combination of coffee flavour and aroma for a bagged snack that ticks all of the free-from boxes.

V&H brought its Little Moons range of small-batch gelato ice cream wrapped in Japanese mochi – a traditional confection made by steaming and pounding sticky rice flour until it becomes soft and delicately elastic. With no gluten, there are six tropical flavours to choose from – including Sumatran coconut, toasted sesame and alphonso mango.

Eat Natural launched two new Super Granolas in late 2015, with more fibre, protein and natural goodness than any other product in the range – as well as zero refined sugar. Eat Natural’s Super Granola with buckwheat, seeds and honey is naturally gluten-free and is made from buckwheat grains, specially selected toasted oats, three seeds, roasted pulses and moist coconut chips. Sweetened naturally with honey and coconut, it is also low in salt and baked with rapeseed oil, which can help to maintain a healthy heart.

And let’s not forget our honourable pair of free-from beverages.

Steaz showcased its unsweetened, passionfruit-flavoured, green tea-based beverage in the US. With zero sugar but no compromise on taste, the drink provides a healthy boost of vitamins, trace minerals and antioxidants while still being free-from, the brand said.

And Thirst Quenchers UK’s Mega Chia drink contains 100% more potassium gram-for-gram than bananas, 200% more iron than spinach and the natural benefits of organic chia seeds. Free from lactose, gluten and GMOs, it is available in three ranges for various benefits to health and wellness: Basic Mega Chia, Organic Mega Chia, and Functional Mega Chia in four variations.