Free From Fellows introduces new sweets, gains distribution

Clean-label brand launched in March 2016.

Free From Fellows, the latest brand introduction from London-based Bravura Foods, has added three items to its range of clean-label gummies.

In March, Free From Fellows introduced sugar-free, gelatin-free and gluten-free Gummy Bears, Cola Bottles and Midget Gems. These stevia-sweetened, vegan candies do not contain artificial colors and flavors.

Also free from sugar, gelatin and gluten, the line’s newest additions include Rhubarb and Custard-flavored hard candies, Pear Drops and Cola and Strawberry Lollipops. They’ll be available later this month.

“We have been innovating in sugar-free confectionery behind the scenes for a while now, but we really wanted to focus on being able to offer more, as there are many products out there that are sugar-free or gluten-free but not gelatin-free or vice versa, and we wanted to fill that gap,” says Bravura Foods Director Lisa Gawthorne.

Health food retailer Holland & Barrett picked up Free From Fellows’ original products in March, extending distribution to 780 stores in August. The lollipops will also be available through the retailer in November.

Supermarket chain Sainsbury’s has also picked up five items from the range, launching in 330 stores earlier this month. Other retailers stocking the products include Whole Foods, Grapetree and Planet Organic, as well as approximately 400 independent health food stores in the United Kingdom. The brand has also established customers in Iceland, Sweden, Australia and Slovenia.

“We have brought about some much needed category innovation, and we really do feel the time is right for the brand as consumers are now more accepting than ever of sugar-free products,” said Bravura Foods Director Karl Morris.

Citing data from Mintel, Morris said 41 percent of parents with children younger than 16 agree artificially-sweetened candy is suitable for kids.

“Coupled with that, we have been tracking the growth of the free from sector as we operate in this area with other brands, and free-from products are now bought by 78 percent of consumers,” Morris added. “We wanted to encapsulate all angles, as well as make it suitable for anyone wishing to avoid gelatin.”

Alyse Thompson has held many positions with BNP Media, first serving as an intern at Candy Industry Magazine in summer 2012. She joined Candy Industry's staff full time as associate editor in August 2016 after a few years at newspapers in West-Central Illinois, becoming managing editor in March 2019. Alyse has also served as managing editor of Cannabis Products Magazine since March 2019. She has bachelor’s degrees in journalism and Spanish from Western Illinois University.