The organic food company behind the Clipper Tea, Kallo and Whole Earth brands has snapped up gluten-free cake maker Mrs Crimble’s for an undisclosed sum.

Wessanen said the acquisition would allow the European group to benefit from the growing market for free-from foods in the UK.

Mrs Crimble’s, which recorded sales of £12.7m in 2015, has operated in the UK gluten-free market for more than 30 years. Its range of macaroons, flapjacks, cakes and biscuits are stocked by the big supermarkets, as well as Nisa, Spar, Budgens and Londis.

Wessanen said the brand had widespread distribution across all channels in the UK and increasing presence internationally.

“Mrs Crimble’s is one of the UK’s best known names in the gluten-free market, with a strong and loyal customer base” added Patrick Cairns, CEO of Wessanen UK.

“This acquisition gives us a great opportunity to benefit from the growing potential of the free-from category in the UK and internationally. Alongside the success of our Clipper, Kallo and Whole Earth brands, Mrs Crimble’s is another great addition to our portfolio of natural and healthy brands, which will help us drive further growth in the market.”

Bill Mapstone on behalf of the owners of Mrs Crimble’s said: “We are very proud of what we have achieved with the Mrs Crimble’s brand and believe that Wessanen are very well placed to take both the brand and the people who have developed this business on to the next level, both in the UK and internationally.”