Danone, Clorox, Nestle Purina win big at Grand Prixs

In a year where Greek yogurt became one of the hottest food crazes in recent memory, it was perhaps fitting that a Greek-style yogurt would win large at the 2011 Canadian Grand Prix New Product Awards, handed out last night in Toronto.

Danone's Oikos Greek Yogurt won the coveted All-Canadian award as well as picking up a Grand Prix in the Dairy category.

Oikos was one of three products to garner two Grand Prix awards. Clorox won an Innovation and Originality award and General Merchandise award for its portable Brita Bottle that comes with a reusable filter.

Nestle Purina's One Smart Blend picked up the Consumer Acceptance award and also swept the Pet Needs category.

Procter & Gamble's team also needed two hands to haul home their hardware last night, winning Grand Prixs for Pampers Cruisers with 3 Way Fit (in the Baby Care category) and for Bounce Dryer Bar (in the Household Products category).

Maple Leaf picked up the Canadian Grand Prix Healthy Innovation New Product Award for its Prime Naturally Chicken Breast Portions. It also won the Baking Needs category for Tenderflake Easy Pie Kits.

Two retailers–Canada Safeway and Metro Richelieu–picked up three awards each in Private Label.

The Grand Prix Awards recognize excellence and innovation in the Canadian grocery industry and are handed out annually by the Retail Council of Canada.

To be eligible for an award a product had to be introduced during 2011.

Winners were selected by a 32-person jury made up of consumers, journalists and people who work in the grocery industry. They tested food products during sessions in Montreal in March and non-food products in their homes over a six-week period.

Entries were narrowed to a field of 122 finalists by the jury. Products were graded on five criteria: uniqueness and innovation; product characteristics; presentation and packaging; overall consumer value; and consumer acceptance (the household penetration rate of the product).

"The type of innovation that the Grand Prix honours drives category, brand and retailer growth," Retail Council of Canada's president, Diane Brisebois, said.

Here is a complete list of the winners (all finalists were featured in the May issue of Canadian Grocer):

SPECIAL AWARDS

All Canadian: Danone, Oikos Greek Yogurt

Consumer Acceptance: Nestle Purina Petcare, Purina One Smart Blend

Canadian Grand Prix Healthy Innovation New Product Award: Maple Leaf Consumer Foods, Maple Leaf Prime Naturally Chicken Breast Portions

Innovation and Originality: The Clorox Company, Brita Bottle

Innovative Packaging: Unilever Canada, Nexxus Pro.Mend

FOOD

Bakery: Weston Bakeries, Premiere Fournee de Weston Breads

Baking Needs: Maple Leaf Frozen Bakery, Tenderflake Easy Pie Kits

Beverages: A. Lassonde, Oasis Health Break CholestPrevent

Condiments & Sauces: New Age Marketing and Brand Management, Simply Delish Chunky Dips

Confectionery: Kraft, Cadbury Caramilk Secrets

Dairy Products: Danone, Oikos Greek Yogurt

Deli, Egg, Meat & Seafood: Janes Family Foods, Janes Wild Sockeye Salmon Burgers

Dessert: Solofruit, Sorbet

Frozen or Refrigerated Prepared Food & Entrees: McCain Foods, McCain Ultra Thin Crust Pizza

Fruits, Vegetables & Produce: Garden Protein International, Gardein

Shelf Stable Prepared Food & Entrees: Nature’s Path Foods, Love Crunch

Snack: Dare Foods, Bear Paws Cereal & Fruit

NON-FOOD

Baby Care: Procter & Gamble, Pampers Cruisers with 3 Way Fit

General Merchandise: The Clorox Company, Brita Bottle

Health Care: Johnson & Johnson, Polysporin Cold Sore Healing Patch

Household Products: Procter & Gamble, Bounce Dryer Bar

Paper, Plastic & Foil: Solo Cup, Solo Squared Kids Combo Pack

Personal Care: Prolav Soap, Bio-Vert Hand Soap 2L Refill Bag

Pet Needs: Nestle Purina Petcare, Purina One Smart Blend

PRIVATE LABEL

Bakery: Canada Safeway, Eating Right Ancien Grains Tortillas with Chia

Beverages: Canada Safeway, Safeway Select Tea

Condiments & Sauces: Canada Safeway, Open Nature Salad Dressing

Confectionery, Snack & Dessert: Metro Richelieu, Ice cream Limited Edition

Dairy, Eggs, Meat & Seafood: Sobeys, Sensations by Compliments Certified Sustainable & Responsibly Caught Seafood

Non-food: Metro Richelieu, Irresistibles Dog Treats

Prepared Food & Entrees: Metro Richelieu, Irresistibles Frozen French Fries