- The menu must-have and farm shop favourite proves that gluten-free doesn’t mean compromising on quality or flavour
There’s a common misconception that allergen-free food and drink is lacking in texture and flavour. However, dedicated gluten-free brands, like PureOaty from Glebe Farm Foods, are on a mission to change public opinion and prove that free-from products can rival – and even taste better than – their traditional counterparts.
Across its entire portfolio of gluten-free oat drinks, granola and porridge oats, PureOaty offers exceptional taste. By using top-quality British oats and only toasting the grains once, the oats deliver a naturally sweet, nutty, and rich flavour that elevates any hot drink, smoothie or breakfast dish.
And the brand has the awards to prove it. Two of its PureOaty products were each awarded a coveted 1-star rating at the prestigious Great Taste Awards 2025 – a benchmark of excellence in the UK food industry. Out of more than 14,000 products put through the competition’s rigorous judging process, PureOaty Tea-rrific Oat Drink and PureOaty Porridge Oats stood out to one of the country’s most respected blind-tasting panels, comprised of over 500 experts, including top chefs, food writers, retailers and buyers.
Great taste, clean label
Not only does PureOaty offer the highest-quality product experience, but its clean label credentials also set it apart from other oat-based products on the market.
Oat drink in particular has been getting a bad rap in the media recently, being regularly called out as ‘processed’ – but there’s a lot of misconception about what this means. There are some bad actors deserving of consumer wariness, but with PureOaty, the clue is in the name.
The pure, home-grown oats used in PureOaty’s oat drink range undergo minimal processing; after being carefully harvested and milled on site they are then cooked into a porridge with plain water. Enzymes are used to make a milk-like drink by adjusting the viscosity (thickness) of the porridge, followed by pasteurisation, which removes spoilage microorganisms.
A small amount of natural sunflower oil is added to boost creaminess and prevent too much separation during storage. Far from being harmful, the often-maligned oil actually has health benefits; it’s rich in ‘good’ unsaturated fats, which have been proven to reduce blood cholesterol. In the organic variant, Glebe Farm Foods elevate this further, using high oleic sunflower oil, which is rich in omega-9 unsaturated fats, often recommended for heart health.
PureOaty also contains no artificial sweeteners, preservatives, colours, flavours or added sugars – and with just four simple ingredients, its products are less processed than dairy milk, fruit juice or even beer!
Gluten-free assurance
PureOaty is flying the flag for clean label oat drinks – but how do they offer the gold standard in gluten-free? This comes down to the fact that the processing plant on Glebe Farm Foods’ Cambridgeshire farm is reserved for oats – and oats only – which means minimal chance of cross-contamination.
The processor carries out stringent checks on all ingredients before they arrive on site and does regular testing to confirm that their products are free from nuts, dairy, sulphites and other allergens, as well as any harmful microorganisms. Unlike other producers who test their finished products to 20 parts per million of gluten, Glebe Farm Foods’ oats are tested to a far stricter limit of less than five parts per million of gluten.
This incredibly clean standard means stockists of PureOaty find consumer complaints of cross contamination reactions – known as ‘gluting’ in the community – disappear. It’s this crucial peace of mind that keeps stores and operators putting PureOaty on their shelves and menus.
Decades of experience
This impeccable quality control is a result of years honing oat processing practices. Glebe Farm Foods’ co-founder Philip Rayner grew up on the farm (even driving combine harvesters at age 15!) where the ambition was ignited to not only grow crops but craft great tasting products, all while promoting British-led manufacturing, sustainable practices and connecting the farm directly to retailers and consumers.
A true innovator at heart, Philip (along with his sister Rebecca) began experimenting with gluten-free manufacturing back in 2008. When the entrepreneurial duo realised they could create a gluten-free oat supply chain, it was all systems go – they set about learning all there was to know about oat milling and built their own mill. By managing the full supply process from their farm to end customer, they successfully pioneered the very first gluten-free oat supply chain for porridge and ingredients.
Following this achievement, the objective was clear: spread the good news that coeliacs throughout Europe can finally eat great cereals and bakery goods made from gluten-free oats. Creating an oat drink was the natural next step, with Philip and Rebecca working tirelessly to master a whole new set of skills. Upon the creation of PureOaty, Glebe Farm Foods’ already well-established gluten-free processes enabled the product to gain the unique position of being the only Coeliac UK certified oat drink on the UK market – a landmark moment for the gluten-free community.
True sustainability
So high-quality, great tasting products – tick. Clean label – tick. Zero allergens – tick. But what about PureOaty’s impact on the environment? Glebe Farm Foods has that covered too; sustainability is at the heart of everything they do.
The producer’s goal operates a fully circular system – growing, milling, and manufacturing everything on-site to reduce emissions, minimise waste, and restore the land. This approach keeps food miles low, supports local communities, and ensures that sustainability is embedded into every stage of production, from field to shelf.
The entire manufacturing process is almost entirely powered by renewable energy, minimising the need for fossil fuels. Three pioneering biomass boilers, fuelled by oat husks (a by-product of milling) generate more than 3.2 million kWh of steam heat and 2.2 million kWh of hot water each year. This innovation not only powers oat flake production but also prevents waste and keeps the carbon footprint across the PureOaty range exceptionally low.
Glebe Farm’s commitment to sustainability is ongoing, with continuous investment in new technologies and infrastructure that push the boundaries of what’s possible in gluten-free food and drink manufacturing. In 2024, Glebe Farm completed a major solar expansion, adding 1,062 new panels to our Cambridgeshire site. This £200,000 investment now generates 467kW of clean energy, enough to power 149 homes, and saves around £85,000 annually.
Glebe Farm Foods is also on an important journey to improve the recyclability of its PureOaty packaging. With support from the Rural England Prosperity Fund from Huntingdon District Council, the producer has purchased a paper bag machine. This means the brand will soon be producing porridge oats in fully recyclable, planet-friendly paper bags, with the ability to make 500g and 1kg sizes.
Meet the team
Glebe Farm Foods will be at the upcoming Farm Shop & Deli Show (13th-15 April 2026). Head to stand W101 to try the PureOaty range and find out how you can offer your customers products that not only delight tastebuds, but are also minimally processed and kind to the planet!
Book a meeting in advance by simply dropping the friendly team an e-mail at office@glebefarmfoods.co.uk. Not yet signed up for the event? Register your attendance here!
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