RCC announces Grand Prix New Product winners

Toronto – And the winners are…!

The Canadian Grand Prix New Product Award winners were officially announced on June 4, the day after a gala took place at the Toronto Congress Centre honouring the winners and their products.

The Retail Council of Canada (RCC) produces the awards program, which is open to manufacturers and distributors of all sizes, for products introduced during the 2014 calendar year.

One of the winners in the Beverages category was Tree Of Life Canada ULC’s MADD Virgin Craft Brewed Lager.

This year Gay Lea Foods Co-Operative Ltd. and Nutrinor Cooperative were the big winnes. Gay Lea Foods received two awards for its Gay Lea Foods Real Coconut Whipped Cream (the best Condiment & Sauce, and the All Canadian Special Award.

Nutrinor Cooperative received two awards for its Organic Nordic Milk (the best Dairy Product, and the Healthy Innovation Special Award).

There was a three-way tie for winning three awards each. In non-food, Procter & Gamble Inc. won awards for Health Care, Personal Care, and Paper, Plastic & Foil.

Sobey’s Inc. won awards for Confectionery, Snack & Dessert, Condiments & Sauces, and Dairy, Eggs, Meat & Seafood.

And Walmart Canada won for Bakery, Baby Care, and Paper, Plastic & Foil.

Another company to win multiple awards was Metro Brands G.P., which won private label awards in the Prepared Foods & Entrees category for its Irresistibles Flatbread and in the Household Products category for Irresistibles Dish Soap.

In two other special food product awards categories, Parmalat Canada Astro Original won Consumer Acceptance and Veg Pro International Inc. Asian-Style Stir Fries won Innovation and Originality.

The jury was made up of consumer goods experts and chair Marcus Von Albrecht, a B.C.-based chef and president of Mava Foods. Jury members graded each entry on five criteria:
• uniqueness and innovation;
• product characteristics;
• presentation and packaging;
• overall consumer value; and
• consumer acceptance.

Winners and Finalists can use the Canadian Grand Prix New Product Awards logo on their packaging for the next two years.

Here are the winners in the food categories:

Bakery
• WESTON BAKERIES LIMITED: Country Harvest

• WALMART CANADA: Our Finest Mini Croissants (PRIVATE LABEL AWARD WINNER)

Baking Needs
• KRAFT CANADA: Kraft Peanut Butter – Holiday Cookie Kit

Beverages
• TREE OF LIFE CANADA ULC: MADD Virgin Craft Brewed Lager

• METRO BRANDS, G.P.: Irresistibles Life Smart Juice Blend (PRIVATE LABEL AWARD WINNER)

Condiments & Sauces
• GAY LEA FOODS CO-OPERATIVE LTD.: Gay Lea Foods Real Coconut Whipped Cream

• SOBEYS INC.: Compliments presents Jamie Oliver Condiments (PRIVATE LABEL AWARD WINNER)

Confectionery
• MARS CANADA INC.: M&M’S Bottles

Confectionery, Snack & Dessert
• SOBEYS INC.: Compliments Balance Fruit & Vegetable Bars (PRIVATE LABEL AWARD WINNER)

Dairy Products
• NUTRINOR COOPERATIVE: Organic Nordic Milk

Dairy, Egg, Meat & Seafood
• SOBEYS INC.: Compliments presents Jamie Oliver Sausages (PRIVATE LABEL AWARD WINNER)

Deli, Egg, Meat & Seafood
• SOFINA FOODS INC.: Deli Naturally!

Dessert
• SCOTSBURN DAIRY GROUP: Scotsburn Premium Inclusion Ice Cream Bars

Fruits, Vegetables & Produce
• GARDEIN: Gardein

Pet Needs
• DLM FOODS CANADA CORP.: Milk-Bone Brushing Chews

• MONDOU: Vetdiet – Care (PRIVATE LABEL AWARD WINNER)

Prepared Food & Entrees
• METRO BRANDS, G.P.: Irresistibles Flatbread (PRIVATE LABEL AWARD WINNER)

Shelf Stable Prepared Food & Entrees
• NUPASTA INC.: NuPasta

Snack
• DARE FOODS LTD.: Dare Cookie Chips

All Canadian (SPECIAL AWARD)
• GAY LEA FOODS CO-OPERATIVE LTD.: Gay Lea Foods Real Coconut Whipped Cream

Consumer Acceptance Award (SPECIAL AWARD)
• PARMALAT CANADA: Astro Original

Healthy Innovation Award (SPECIAL AWARD)
• NUTRINOR COOPERATIVE: Organic Nordic Milk

Innovation and Originality (SPECIAL AWARD)
• VEG PRO INTERNATIONAL INC.: Asian-Style Stir Fries