Grand Prix new product award finalists announced
Cookies that double as chips, whipped cream made with coconut and–of course–yogurt, yogurt, yogurt are among the finalists for the coveted Canadian Grand Prix New Product Awards this year.
The short list was announced by the Retail Council of Canada Thursday. It includes 91 products in three broad categories: food, non-food and private label.
The Grand Prixs recognize the best of the best in Canadian grocery product innovation– from subtle to category bending.
An example of the latter this year is Dare Cookie Chips (pictured), a light cookie so thin its texture is more like a chip. On the more subtle side is Gay Lea Real Coconut Whipped Cream, a non-dairy topping, perfect for lactose intolerant shoppers who still crave the frothy treat.
Yogurt, the darling of grocery shelves in recent years, was prominent among the finalists once again: Hain Celestial’s Greek Gods honey salted caramel yogurt; Olympic Dairy’s chia yogurt and Ultima Foods’ Iögo Moment. Yogurt is also the star ingredient of another finalist: Metro Brands’ Irresistible Greek Yogurt Cheesecake.
Among companies, Procter & Gamble is up for the most awards this year. It has 12 finalists in non-food.
In private label, Metro Brands has the most finalists (10), followed by Walmart (six) and Sobeys (four).
Parmalat has four nominations this year, the most of any company in the food category. Other food CPGs with multiple nominations include Kraft, Tree of Life, McCormick and Mars.
The Grand Prixs are now in their 22nd year. The award program is open to manufacturers and distributors of all sizes in Canada. This year’s awards recognize products introduced during 2014.
Finalists were chosen by a 30-person jury comprised of food industry professionals, including people working in grocery, consumer packaged goods, journalists and dietitians.
To become a finalist, a product must score at least 70% in judging.
Winners will be announced June 3 at the Grand Prix gala at the Toronto Congress Centre, as part of the “Store 2015” retail conference.
Here is a complete list of finalists in the food, non-food and private-label categories, alphabetically by company:
FOOD:
A. Lassonde: Oasis Smoothie Greek Yogurt
Agropur Co-operative: Natrel Partly Skimmed Maple Milk
Burnbrae Farms: Burnbrae Farms Nanny Hudson’s Homestyle Ketchup
Canada Bread: Dempster’s 100% Whole Grains Signature Blends
Coca-Cola: Coca-Cola
Dare Foods: Breton Bean Crackers (Gluten-free)
Dare Foods: Dare Cookie Chips
Ferrero: Nutella & Go
Gardein: Gardein
Gay Lea Foods Co-Operative: Gay Lee Real Coconut Whipped Cream
Hain Celestial: Europe's Best Fruit Cups
Hain Celestial Greek Gods Honey Salted Caramel Yogurt
Happy Planet Foods: Happy Planet Fresh Soup
High Liner Foods: High Liner Simply Fish
Industrie Gastronomique Cascajares: Porchetta Festive Box
Kisko Products: Mr. Freeze ElectroIce Sport
Kraft: Kraft Peanut Butter Holiday Cookie Kit
Kraft Limited Edition Kraft Peanut Butter Plush Bear + 500g Smooth Peanut Butter
Mars: M&M’S Bottles
Mars: Snickers Bites
McCormick: Club House Extract
McCormick: Club House Skillet Sauce
Monaghan Mushrooms: Belle Grove Mushrooms
Naturally Homegrown Foods: Hardbite Chips
Nupasta: NuPasta
Nutrinor Co-operative: Organic Nordic Milk
Olympic Dairy Products: Chia Yogurt
Parmalat: Astro Original
Parmalat: Black Diamond Cheese Spread
Parmalat: Président Feta Cheese Crumbled
Parmalat: Président Spreadable
Scotsburn Dairy Group: Scotsburn Premium Inclusion Ice Cream Bars
Sofina Foods: Deli Naturally
Tree of Life: Keebler Mini Graham Cracker Pie Crust
Tree of Life: MADD Virgin Craft Brewed Lager
Ultima Foods: Iögo Moment
Veg Pro International: Asian-Style Stir Fries
Weston Bakeries: Country Harvest
Weston Bakeries: D'Italiano Bagelli
NON-FOOD:
Baby Gourmet Foods: Baby Gourmet Plus
Bernardin (Jarden): Bernardin Frozen Herb Starter Tray
Bernardin (Jarden): Bernardin Sip & Straw Lids
Bernardin (Jarden): Vintage Collection Green Jar Pint by Bernardin
Clorox Company: Liquid-Plumr Hair Clog Eliminator
Clorox Company: Pine-Sol Multi-Surface Cleaner, Mandarin Sunrise
Dart: Solo Premium Strength Plates
DLM Foods: Milk-Bone Brushing Chews
King's Crown: King's Crown Ultra-Rich Shaving Cream
Procter & Gamble: Always Discreet
Procter & Gamble: Crest 3-D White Luxe Whitestrips Supreme Flexfit
Procter & Gamble: Crest Sensi-Relief Whitening + Scope
Procter & Gamble: Charmin Basics
Procter & Gamble: Febreze First Defense Allergen Reducer
Procter & Gamble: Full Lash Bloom by Lashblast Mascara
Procter & Gamble: Gain Flings Original
Procter & Gamble: Gillette Fusion ProGlide with FlexBall Technology
Procter & Gamble: Herbal Essence Naked Volume Collection
Procter & Gamble: Mr. Clean Liquid Muscle
Procter & Gamble: Olay Regenerist Luminous Tone Perfecting Treatment
Procter & Gamble: Tampax Pearl Active
S. C. Johnson and Son: Scrubbing Bubbles Mega Shower Foamer with Ultra Cling Rain Shower
S. C. Johnson and Son: Windex Electronics Wipe& Go Wipe
Whirlpool Canada: KitchenAid Produce Preserver
PRIVATE LABEL:
Federated Co-operatives: Co-Op Gold Cookies
Federated Co-operatives: Co-Op Gold Trail Mix
Longo’s: Longo's Signature Keylime Cheesecake
Longo’s: Longo's Signature Fully Cooked Pulled Pork
Metro Brands: Irresistibles Cream Cheese and Greek Yogurt Spread
Metro Brands: Irresistibles Dish soap
Metro Brands: Irresistibles Flatbread
Metro Brands: Irresistibles Gourmet Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Metro Brands: Irresistible Greek yogourt cheesecake
Metro Brands: Irresistibles Herbal Tea
Metro Brands: Irresistibles La Collezione
Metro Brands: Irresistibles Life Smart Bread
Metro Brands: Irresistibles Life Smart Juice Blend
Metro Brands: Irresistibles Quinoa
Mondou: Vetdiet
Mondou: Vetdiet Care
Mondou: Vetdiet Dental Care
Sobeys: Compliments Balance Fruit & Vegetable Bars
Sobeys:Compliments Gluten Free Breads
Sobeys:Compliments presents Jamie Oliver Condiments
Sobeys:Compliments presents Jamie Oliver Sausages
Sobeys Quebec: Flattened Chicken
Walmart Canada: Great Value Paper Towels – Strong and Absorbent (Family Size)
Walmart Canada: Our Finest Angus Beef Meatballs
Walmart Canada: Our Finest Luscious Lemon Cookies
Walmart Canada: Our Finest Luscious Lemon Pie Ice Cream
Walmart Canada: Our Finest Mini Croissants
Walmart Canada: Parent’s Choice Infant Formula (For babies sensitive to lactose)