Canadian Grand Prix New Product Awards finalists announced

Finalists for the Retail Council of Canada’s 25th Anniversary Canadian Grand Prix New Product Awards have been revealed.

The shortlist includes 119 innovative products from retailers and consumer packaged goods companies that were introduced during 2017.

The awards program recognizes the best in Canadian grocery product innovation, including both food and non-food items as well as private label.

Flavoured basmati rice by Hain-Celestial Brands, Hellmann's Vegan mayonnaise from Unilever,  Nordica Smooth Cottage Cheese from Gay Lea Foods and Western Family Salad Kits from Save-On-Foods were among the items that made the cut.

“Not only is it the 25th Anniversary of the Canadian Grand Prix New Product Awards but the competition experienced a 20% increase in submissions to be evaluated by our judging panel of 27 industry experts,” Diane J. Brisebois, president and CEO, Retail Council of Canada, said in a press release announcing the finalists.

“Canadians are craving genuine newness and retailers have delivered. This year’s products were outstanding and drew higher overall scores from our panel,” she added.

The products were evaluated by a jury comprised of people working in grocery, consumer packaged goods, journalists and dietitians in Montreal, in February. To become a finalist, products had to achieve a score of at least 70% in the judging.

A benefit of being recognized by the program is that both finalists and winners can use the Canadian Grand Prix logo on their packaging for two years.

Winners will be announced at a gala event on May 30 at the RCC’s STORE 2018, Canada’s Retail Conference. Click here to purchase tickets.

Here are the 2017 Canadian Grand Prix New Product Award finalists:

FOOD

A. Lassonde
Oasis Infusion
Oasis Hydrafruit 1.65L

AB World Foods
Patak's 3 Step
Blue Dragon 3 Step

Arla Foods
Castello Double Crème White
Castello Double Crème Blue
Arla Havarti Cheese Snack (portion packs)

Cavendish Farms
Cavendish Farms FlavourCrisp Oven Chips

Conagra Brands
Hunt's Heirloom Tomatoes

Dole Foods of Canada
Dole Resealable Fruit Pouch

Earth's Own Food Company
SoFresh Oat

Finica Foods
Lenberg Farms cheese

Gay Lea Foods
Hewitt's 14% Goat Milk Sour Cream
Nordica Smooth Cottage Cheese

Hain-Celestial Brands
Tilda Lime & Cilantro Basmati Rice

High Liner Foods
Can't Mess it up! Wild Pink Salmon

Kicking Horse Coffee
Kicking Horse Coffee Cold Brew

Kraft Heinz Canada
Philadelphia Whipped Bold
McCafé Premium Roast 100% Compostable Pods
Kraft All Natural Peanut Butter
Classico Riserva Pasta Sauce

Lamontagne Chocolate
Lamontagne Collection

Naturally Homegrown Foods
Hardbite Chips

Terra Beata Farms
Dried Cranberries

Twinings of London
Twinings Exotic Mango and Ginger Green Tea

Unilever
Hellmann's Vegan
Knorr Selects

Bimbo Canada (Canada Bread)
Tia Rosa Mexican Meal Kit
Tia Rosa Fajita Kit

Bleumer
Cubes for tartar, Sushi à la maison

Bonduelle
Spinach Dip, Artichoke & Seasoning

Bridor
Au Pain Doré Origine Pastries

Burnbrae Farms
Egg Bakes Crustless Quiche
Eggs2Go!
Egg Bakes! Patties

Canada Dry Mott's
Mott’s Clamato
Mott’s Fruitsations + Fibre

Earth’s Own Food Company 
SoFresh Cold Brew

Emmi Canada 
Kaltbach Creamy & Tasty

Flow Water
Flow Alkaline Spring Water

Fourmi Bionique
Nutbrown Grain Free Granola

Grains of Health
Rice Crackers

Heartland Food Products Group
Splenda Stevia No Calorie Sweetener

Jan K Overweel
Duero Fruit Jelly & Cheese

Jewels Under The Kilt
Maple Roasted Nuts

Krinos Foods Canada
Krinos Greek Barrel Aged Feta

Left Field Foods
Spokes Puffed Potato Snacks

Les Aliments Dainty Foods
Dainty Rice

Maple Syrup Producers’ Cooperative
inü Cranberry Maple Drink

Mars Inc.
M&M Caramel Milk Chocolate Candies

Nestlé Canada
Aero Dark Cherry Truffle Tablet

Olivieri Foods
Skillet Gnocchi

Olymel
Nitrite-free Deli Meats

PFB The Pita Bread Factory
Bakestone Brothers Certified Organic Tortillas
Bakestone Brothers Certified Organic Bagels

Plats du chef
Vegetable & Chicken Quinoa Bowl

Prana
Chocolate Bark

Quality Cheese Inc.
Chimay

Riviera
Riviera Greek Yogourt, 40% less sugar

Rubicon Food Products
Rubicon No Sugar Added 100% Juice Blend

Sarah Cole Cider
Whip

St-Hubert
Smoked Meat Tortiere

Terra Beata Farms
Refrigerated NFC Juice Cocktail, 1.75L

Three Farmers Products
Three Farmers Pea Pops

ThreeWorks Snacks
ThreeWorks Apple Chips Crinkle Crunch

Traditional Medicinals
Stress Soother

Viau Foods Ltd.
Thin Sliced Salametti

NON-FOOD

Cascades Tissue Group
Cascades Fluff

Baby Gourmet Foods Inc.
Baby Gourmet Shakers Nurtitional Beverage

Hain-Celestial Canada
Jason Dry Spray Deodorant

Namëna Biosciences
IGNITE-SX

Sunstar Americas Inc. (Canada)
Gum Flossers

Carlton Cards
Sweet Eats
Chairs to You

Hallmark Canada
Star Wars Collection Jedi Master Set
Stained Glass Shadowbox

PRIVATE LABEL FOOD

Federated Co-operatives Ltd.
Co-op Gold Perogies
Co-op Gold PURE Smoked Steelhead
Co-op Gold PURE Cold Pressed Juice
Co-op Gold PURE Mustard
Co-op Gold Cookies

Longo’s
Longo’s Signature Muffuletta
Longo’s Signature Italian Filone Loaf

Metro Brands, g.p.
Irresistibles Naturalia Tourtière
Irresistibles Organics Lactose-Free Cheese
Irresistibles Maple Syrup
Irresistibles Fully Cooked Drumstick Style Pork Shank, Korean
Irresistibles Chips
Irresistibles Chewy Cookie
Irresistibles Vinegar and Maple Syrup
Irresistibles Ice Cream
Irresistibles Pie
Irresisitibles Baked Deep Dish Pie, 1-kg
Juice Blend
Irresistibles Organics Chicken

Rexall
Nosh & Co. Premium Artisinal Shortbread Cookies

Save-On-Foods
Western Family Salad Kits
Western Family Organic Kombucha
Western Family Fully Cooked Smokies

Sobeys 
Compliments Naturally Simple Ancient Grain-Coated Chicken Breast Chunks
Sensations by Compliments Milk & Dark Chocolate Almond Dates
Compliments Gluten Free Cookie Dough
Sensations by Compliments Cold Brew Coffee
Compliments Naturally Simple Seed and Ancient Grain Blend
Compliments Naturally Simple Veggie Burgers

Walmart Canada
Our Finest Festive Collection Naturally Flavoured Coffee K-Cup pods
Great Value Pretzel Coated Chicken Fingers

PRIVATE LABEL NON-FOOD

Canadian Tire Corporation
Canvas Marseille Fireplace
Canadian Signature Fry Pan
NOMA Advanced Constant-Lit C6 LED Christmas String Lights
Yardworks 12A Leaf Blower/Vacuum with AeroForce Technology

Metro Brands, g.p.
Irresistibles Dog Treats

Mondou
Vetdiet Dental Chews
Vetdiet Dog Snacks

PetSmart Canada
Beaver Canoe Apparel

Rexall 
Kit 3 in 1 Sponge

Walmart Canada
Special Kitty scoopable multicat tight clumping cat litter
Parent’s Choice Diaper Pail Refills
Equate Whey Protein Powder