Grand Prix New Product Awards celebrate Canada’s best new foods

Toronto, Ont. – The Retail Council of Canada announced the winners of the 18th annual Canadian Grand Prix New Product Awards during a gala event held at the Toronto Congress Centre in mid-June.

The big winner of the evening was Mini Hors-d’oeuvre from La Fromagerie 1860 du Village Inc., a sampler of gourmet cheeses. The product won for best Dairy Product, as well as special awards for All Canadian and for Innovation and Originality.

2010 products

Products eligible for entering this year’s award program must have been introduced to the market between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2010.

A 32-member jury – comprising food media, consumers, grocery distributors, award sponsors and students – judged each of the product entries on five criteria: uniqueness and innovation; product characteristics; presentation and packaging; overall consumer value; and consumer acceptance.

In all there were 26 product categories and five special awards. Winners are able to use the Grand Prix Award logo for two years on their packaging.

Award winners

Winning products were separated into food and beverages, non-food items and private-label sections. Food and beverage winners, by category, included:

Bakery – Dempster’s OvenFresh, Canada Bread Company, Ltd.

Baking Needs – Becel pro.activ, Unilever Canada

Beverages – Folgers Black Silk Coffee, Smucker Foods of Canada Corp.

Condiments & Sauces – Kraft Whipped Peanut Butter & Dip, Kraft Canada Inc.

Confectionery – Trident Layers, Cadbury

Dairy Products – Mini Hors-d’oeuvre, La Fromagerie 1860 du Village Inc.

Deli, Egg, Meat & Seafood – Maple Leaf Natural Selections Deli Meats, Maple Leaf Foods

Dessert – Probiotic Frozen Yogurt Mini Cone, Lebel Foods Inc.

Frozen or Refrigerated Prepared Foods & Entrées – Gardein, Garden Protein International

Fruits, Vegetables & Produce – Europe’s Best Antioxidant Fruit Blend, Smucker Foods of Canada Corp.

Shelf Stable Prepared Foods & Entrées – Knorr Homestyle Stock, Unilever Canada

Snack – In Snax Pita Crisps, In Foods Inc.

Private-label food and beverage winners included:

Bakery – Compliments Balance Crusty Breads, Sobey’s Inc.

Beverages – Irresistibles Life Smart Nutrient Enhance Water Beverage, Metro Richelieu Inc.

Condiments & Sauces – Selection Marinade, Metro Richelieu Inc.

Confectionery, Snack & Dessert – Safeway Select Artisan Supreme Cheesecake Sampler, 340 g, Canada Safeway Ltd.

Dairy, Eggs, Meat & Seafood – Water Front Bistro Frozen Fish Fillet, Canada Safeway Ltd.

Prepared Food & Entrées – O Organic Fresh Soup, Canada Safeway Ltd.

Special awards for food went to Mini Hors-d’oeuvre from La Fromagerie 1860 du Village Inc. (All Canadian and Innovative Packaging); Dempster’s Smart White with 16 Whole Grains from Canada Bread Company, Ltd. (Consumer Acceptance); and Humm! Hummus Cocktail from Fontaine Santé Foods Inc. (Canadian Grand Prix Healthy Innovation New Product Award).