We’re thrilled to announce that Dill, the food labelling automation solution transforming the way food businesses manage compliance and efficiency, has been shortlisted for AI Startup of the Year at the Wales National Startup Awards 2025.
This recognition highlights Dill’s trailblazing role in bringing artificial intelligence into the highly regulated, fast-paced world of food labelling — from Food-to-Go to stock rotation, and from retail convenience to hospitality. By combining cutting-edge technology with real-world usability, Dill is helping food businesses of all sizes simplify compliance, boost productivity, and create safer, more scalable operations.
Solving Real Challenges in Food Labelling with AI
Food businesses today face a perfect storm of regulatory pressure, staffing challenges, and consumer expectations for transparency. With the introduction of Natasha’s Law, the UK Food Information Amendment that mandates complete ingredient and allergen labelling on all Prepacked for Direct Sale (PPDS) food, accurate and legible labelling has never been more critical.
Dill was built to address exactly this. Our AI-driven platform automates everything from allergen labelling and ingredient formatting to stock rotation labelling and retail shelf-edge ticketing.
Our powerful, cloud-based tools allow operators to:
-
Instantly generate compliant Food-to-Go labels with full ingredients, allergens, and expiry information.
-
Create and manage stock rotation labels to reduce waste, increase food safety, and support FIFO systems.
-
Scale label templates across multiple locations with centralized controls and local customization.
-
Leverage AI to automatically generate and position label elements, streamlining design for operators and brands alike.
AI-Powered Label Workflow & Template Generation
What sets Dill apart — and what earned us the AI Startup nomination — is our intelligent labelling engine. With a few prompts or product descriptions, users can now automatically generate:
-
Label layouts and templates
-
Intelligent element positioning (e.g., barcode, allergen statement, use-by date)
-
Pre-validated outputs that align with industry guidelines
Whether it’s a single sandwich label or a full menu of PPDS items, Dill’s AI makes it possible to build, test, and deploy labels in seconds — reducing dependency on manual setup or design teams.
Trusted by Industry Leaders
From independent operators to large multi-site chains, Dill is trusted by a growing list of innovative food businesses, including:
-
Atis – Modern salad and grain bowl concept delivering fresh, high-volume Food-to-Go meals daily.
-
Busaba – A leading Thai dining chain known for efficient kitchen operations and branded labelling needs.
-
Sushi Co – Operators of grab-and-go sushi counters where PPDS labelling and stock rotation are critical to freshness.
-
Penny Petroleum – One of the UK’s largest independent forecourt retailers, using Dill to streamline retail labelling across its estate.
These brands turn to Dill not just for compliance, but for confidence — knowing their food labels are always accurate, on-brand, and aligned with local and national regulations.
Stock Rotation & Compliance Made Effortless
Effective stock rotation is a key pillar of food safety and waste reduction, yet many businesses still rely on handwritten labels and manual date checks. Dill automates this with day-dot labelling, scheduled print workflows, and custom date logic tailored to each product type.
For multi-unit operators, this reduces errors, improves shelf-life tracking, and ensures compliance with HACCP and EHO inspections — all while saving staff time during peak hours.
Looking Ahead: Scaling Intelligent Labelling Across the UK
Our nomination at the Wales Startup Awards 2025 reflects the impact we’ve made so far, but we’re only just getting started.
As we continue to roll out new features in label intelligence, data integration, and API-first infrastructure, Dill is committed to making world-class food labelling accessible to every business — from high street cafes and school canteens to multinational QSR brands.
We’re incredibly proud of this nomination, and even more excited for what lies ahead: empowering more operators with smart labelling, simplifying regulatory complexity, and making food safer for everyone.
📍 See the full list of Wales Startup Awards 2025 finalists here:
Finalists Announced – Business News Wales