FDF unveils winners of industry excellence awards

The Food and Drink Federation (FDF) has revealed the winners of its highly-anticipated FDF Industry Awards 2026.

Across 16 categories, winners were chosen by a panel of expert judges for demonstrating the best innovation, ambition, talent and creativity across the UK’s largest manufacturing industry. From rising stars and initiatives that have made a difference to local communities, to excellence in packaging and technology.

Winners include Felix, for its FLEX initiative, which has helped provide a million meals to communities and prevent food waste by turning turn short-dated ingredients into long-life products that can be distributed; and Pladis, for its initiative that has helped double the representation of women in engineering.

The results were announced to an audience of 600 industry stakeholders during a glitzy awards ceremony held at The Troxy – an iconic cultural venue in East London. Sponsored by KPMG, the ceremony was hosted by star of Channel 4’s Junior Bake Off and Netflix’s 5 Star Kitchen, Ravneet Gill.

FDF’s Chief Executive welcomed attendees to the prestigious awards evening commenting on the hard work that goes into keeping the food system running everyday while building strong communities across the country.

Nick Pink, Chief Operating Officer, The Food and Drink Federation (FDF), said:

“The FDF Industry Awards are a brilliant opportunity to get together and celebrate the people and businesses working every day to feed the nation, put British innovation on the map, and power communities up and down the country.

“It was a spectacular, celebratory and inspiring evening, shining a light on new talent, new products, experience, ingenuity and success across the sector. A huge congratulations to all our winners and runners up!”

Linda Ellett, Head of Consumer, Retail and Leisure for KPMG UK, said:

"KPMG UK is delighted to once again support the Food and Drink Federation Awards. In the face of economic uncertainty, geopolitical change and evolving consumer demands, the sector continues to demonstrate remarkable resilience and innovation. The awards provide an opportunity to recognise the outstanding people and businesses shaping the future of this vital industry, who have looked uncertainty straight in the eyes and said, 'no problem, let's do it'.”

Notes to editors

View the full list of winners.

About FDF

The Food and Drink Federation (FDF) gives a voice to the food and drink manufacturing industry – the UK’s largest manufacturing sector. We contribute over £42bn to the country's economy, supporting half a million jobs and driving growth at home and abroad. For more information on the FDF and the industry we represent, visit www.fdf.org.uk.  

For further enquires please contact the FDF Press Office or contact 020 7420 7140.