Brandspark’s 2011 New Product Awards

Market researcher BrandSpark International’s Best New Product Awards has announced the winners of its eighth annual Canadian Shopper Study. The survey polled more than 36,500 consumers and asked them to vote on 169 products in 55 different categories.

The survey also discovered several key trends among Canadian shoppers. Notably, just 54 per cent of Canadians still believe we are in a recession, compared to 77 per cent of Americans. And, despite the fact that 30 per cent of Canadians say they will spend less on groceries this year than they did in 2010, 72 per cent also say they still like trying new products.

Other issues affecting the way Canadians shop include concerns about environmental accountability (87 per cent believe manufacturers still have a long way to go to reduce packaging); demands for more organic options; and general satisfaction with private label food and beverage products (64 per cent say they believe private-label products are usually extremely good value for their money).

In the food and beverage section, winners by category were:

Lower-calorie beverages: Ocean Spray Diet Blueberry Cocktail
Juice: Minute Maid Pure Squeezed
Juice blend: Oasis Nature’s Collection – Black Cherry Blackberry
Ice cream: Breyers Smooth & Dreamy
Non-carbonated beverages: Aquafina Plus Vitamins 10 Cal
Dairy alternatives: Earth’s Own Almond Fresh Unsweetened Almond Beverage
Better for you snacks: Craisins Sweetened Dried Cranberries Blueberry Juice Infused, and Pomegranate Juice Infused
Chicken products: Maple Leaf Prime Gourmet
Meat alternatives: Yves Veggie Chili
Snack bars: Fibre 1 100 Calories Bars
Confectionery: Cadbury Caramilk Snack Cakes
Bread: Gadoua Multigo Loaf
Specialty bread: Stonemill Cranberry Pumpkinseed Bread
Frozen fish: High Liner Pan Sear Selects – Lime Chili Tilapia and Savoury Herb Cod
Frozen fruit: Europe’s Best Antioxidant Fruit Blend Frozen Fruit
Soup: Knorr Lipton Chicken Noodle Nutri Soup with 25% less salt
Frozen pizza: Casa di Mama Bacon
Salad dressing: Pure Kraft Refrigerated Dressing
Asian flavour enhancers: VH Thai Market Spicy Thai Chili Sauce
Snack cheese: Black Diamond Mild White Cheddar Cheese Portion Pack
Shredded cheese: Kraft 4 Cheeses Italiano Light Shredded Cheese
Yogurt: Yoplait Asana
Savoury snacks: Rice Thins Brown Rice Crisps
New ethnic foods: Indian Life Masala Vegetable Samosas
Products with sustainable packaging: Sun Chips Compostable Bag

Europe’s Best Antioxidant Fruit Blend Frozen Fruit also took the awards for Best in Food and Beverages, and Best in Show.