Terms & Conditions
“Entrant” refers to any individual, third party, or company submitting an application for the golden HAT awards.
“Food enthusiasts” in our panel are chefs, food bloggers/influencers, general food enthusiasts, nutritionists or other group of individuals collaborating with The Golden HAT award to conduct surveys and provide feedback based on the blind taste evaluation of sample products.
- Introduction
These terms & conditions govern participation in the golden HAT award. By registering for the award, entrants agree to comply with all requirements outlined herein. The golden HAT award is designed to recognise and honour excellent vegetarian food and beverage products.
- Product eligibility
2.1 Who can apply
The golden HAT award is open to food manufacturers, importers, distributors, and retailers offering vegetarian food and beverage products intended for sale or distribution within the United Kingdom and the European Union only.
2.2 Regulatory compliance
Entrants must be:
- Registered as a food business with the food standards agency, or
- If based outside the UK, it should be registered and approved by the local food and safety authority in their respective country.
- The management of the “golden HAT awards” will not be responsible if you fail to register or do not comply with local regulations. Any issues or mishaps related to your product will be solely your responsibility. The Golden HAT award management reserves the right to cancel your registration or disqualify you at any time.
2.3 Availability in retail
Eligible products must be commercially available to the public at the time of entry or within 2 months after certification is approved, through retail channels such as independent shops, local markets, online stores, national retailers, Deliveroo or Uber eats.
2.4 Right of rejection
The Golden HAT award management reserves the right to refuse products where:
- Sufficient product information has not been provided
- Specialist cooking methods are required that cannot be accommodated
- The product is not identified as a vegetarian product.
- The product contains alcohol
- The product cannot be prepared within our facilities
2.5 Flavour submission rules
Each individual flavour constitutes one entry. Multipacks with multiple flavours (e.g., assorted chocolates, multi-flavour yoghurts) are not accepted. However, products consumed as a single mixed item (e.g., trail mix) are permitted if flavours are inseparable.
2.6 Evaluation scope
Food enthusiasts assess taste and flavour only — not nutritional or health claims. Products without notable flavour or not intended for flavour appreciation will not be accepted.
2.7 Safety compliance
Only products fit for human consumption will be judged.
28 Spirit of the awards
Products deemed inappropriate or inconsistent with the ethos of the “golden HAT award” will be refused entry at the sole discretion of the management.
- Registration
3.1 Accuracy of information
Entrants must ensure that all company, product, and contact details are accurate and correctly spelled.
3.2 Ingredient disclosure
A complete ingredient list (as shown on retail packaging) must be submitted, including brand name and SKU details.
3.3 Entry capacity
Once the published entry limit is reached, submissions can be accepted, subject to managements approval.
3.4 Authorised registrants
Only company representatives directly employed or owning the brand may register products. Registrations from authorised third party are also accepted.
3.5 Registration confirmation
Acknowledgement of acceptance of registration and next steps will be sent via email within approximately 7–14 working days.
- Payment
4.1 Registration fees
Registration for the golden HAT award is free to encourage participation from small and artisan producers. Payment must be made only if your product is qualified for the “golden HAT award” certification.
4.2 Accepted payment methods
Payment (where applicable) must be paid via credit/debit card or bank transfer, with proof of payment emailed to the Golden HAT award management.
4.3 Refund policy
No refunds will be issued under any circumstances.
4.4 Fee structure
A fee applies for the product registered if it qualifies to use our service . Additional SKU’s/flavours incur extra charge.
- Packaging requirements
5.1 Retail packaging
Products should be submitted in retail-ready packaging displaying use by/best before dates, full ingredient lists, and allergen information.
- Delivery
6.1 Delivery schedule
A designated delivery date will be provided for the submission of sample products, with all delivery costs to be borne by the entrant. Failure to deliver sample products on time may result in disqualification, with recall costs borne by the entrant, if they wish to have the products back.
6.2 Entrant responsibility
Entrants are responsible for safe, prompt delivery, including notifying the organisers of products with short shelf lives to arrange suitable delivery dates.
6.3 Seasonal exceptions
Seasonal unavailability of the sample products may be considered at management discretion.
6.4 Sustainable packaging
Entrants are encouraged to use recyclable packaging as we will dispose each product after reviewing.
6.5 Condition at arrival
Products must arrive in a condition safe for consumption. Chilled/frozen products must be delivered at the correct temperature with clear labelling.
6.6 Customs charges
All applicable customs or import fees are the responsibility of the entrant.
- Panel and community guidelines
7.1 Liability
The Golden HAT award management and the panel of food enthusiasts shall not be held liable for any opinions, feedback, or evaluations expressed regarding your sample product under any circumstances.
7.2 Blind tasting activity
Blind taste activity with the group of food enthusiast will be conducted to ensure impartial evaluation based solely on flavour.
The identities of all food enthusiast (Can be referred as judges) will remain strictly confidential and will not be disclosed.
7.3 Community Eligibility & Selection
Only selected individuals, at the sole discretion of The Golden HAT award management, will be shortlisted for inclusion in the Panellist Community. Submission of interest does not guarantee selection.
7.4 Community Activation
The Panellist Community will remain inactive until 30th June 2026. No activities, benefits, or obligations will be associated with the community until its official launch.
7.5 Data Retention
By submitting your details, you consent to the Golden HAT award management securely storing your information. This data will be retained solely for the purpose of contacting shortlisted individuals regarding community activation or future participation opportunities.
7.6 No Immediate Obligation
Being shortlisted does not create any legal, financial, or contractual obligation between you and the Golden HAT award management until the community is formally launched and you are officially invited to participate.
7.7 Right to Amend
The Golden HAT award management reserves the right to amend, postpone, or cancel the launch of the Panellist Community at any time, without liability.
- Results
8.1 Notification
Results will be sent via email.
8.2 Certification
Qualified products will receive digital certification and marketing material i.e. logo to use on packaging, marketing (Offline and online), and communications within the UK and EU, valid for one year from the awarded date. To renew the certification, an annual fee must be paid before 1 month of the certification expiry date, provided that the ingredients and formulation of the product remain unchanged.
8.3 Feedback
No feedback will be provided to non-qualified entrants. Feedback to qualified entrants will be provided with certification after payment.
8.4 Product changes
If a winning product’s recipe, sourcing, or manufacturing process changes, the award becomes void & must not be used for further advertising or any communication. The product must be re-entered before it is available for customers to renew its certification.
- Logo usage
9.1 Usage rights
Only awarded products will have the right to display the “golden HAT award” logo, which is trademark-protected. Misuse will result in withdrawal of the award and legal action will be taken.
9.2 Year requirement
The year of the award must be displayed alongside the logo as provided by the Golden HAT award management.
9.3 Prohibited use
Logos must not be used on products that did not receive the award.
9.4 Misconduct
Award will be withdrawn if the producer is found guilty of food safety violations or acts in a manner deemed offensive or harmful.
9.4 Logo Usage Rights
Awarded brands are granted a perpetual, non-transferable right to display the Golden HAT Award logo on their website, provided that the logo is always accompanied by the relevant year of certification. Any usage of the logo without the year specified shall be deemed unauthorized.
- Dispute resolution
On all matters relating to taste, the decision of the food enthusiast panel is final.
- General provisions
11.1 Delivery responsibility
The entrant is solely responsible for all delivery, customs, taxes, and insurance expenses. The Golden HAT award team will not bear any such costs. In exceptional circumstances, payments may be made by The Golden HAT award team upon the entrant’s special request; however, the entrant must reimburse the full amount within 2 business days.
11.2 Product warranty
Entrants warrant that products are safe for human consumption and that they hold valid public liability insurance.
11.3 Use of Brand Name and Logo
By completing your registration, you expressly consent that, if your product is qualified, The Golden HAT award team will have the right to use your company/brand name, logo, and related trademarks for promotional, marketing, and advertising purposes. This may include, but is not limited to, display on the “golden HAT awards” official website, social media platforms, and other communication channels, identifying you as a partner company/brand.
11.4 Final decision
The “golden HAT awards” management decision is final and they must not be held liable for any decisions made.