Healthier-for-you and allergy-free products have made their mark on this year's Product of the Year awards.
10 out of 50 Product of the Year (POY) 2019 winners, which were announced at Quay Restaurant in Sydney last night, were new products offering healthy and allergy-free alternatives to everyday food and beverage items, according to organisers.
In response to consumer demand, organisers also created two new gluten-free categories this year for general and kid-friendly specific products.
Product of the Year is a consumer voted awards program that recognises product innovation across 50 categories, with this year's votes coming from over 14,000 Australian consumers. The awards is now in its tenth year in Australia.
“I’m thrilled at the increase in innovative healthy-option products that are being made available on shelf and being entered into the Awards,” Product of the Year director Sarah Connelly said.
“It’s a trend that we’ve not seen much of before in the history of the Awards and it signals increasing consumer demand for manufacturers to innovate in these areas. These options are becoming far more mainstream and more affordable than they have ever been before.”
Vegetarian convenience foods was another rising category, Connelly said.
“A category that we have seen consistent growth in each year is ‘convenience foods’ but this year we are seeing more vegetarian easy-option foods, which simply haven’t been available before.
“It’s wonderful to see these dietary requirements being met by brands, showcasing their leadership in this space.”
In other notable trends, Coles won 11 awards, Metcash received 10, and ALDI won 9.
Mars Foods, which was new to the awards this year, scored three wins, while fellow newcomer Freedom Foods won two.
The awards recognise product innovation in a range of categories including house and home; skincare, hair and beauty; home cooking and pantry; snacks and entertaining; kids; indulgence; healthy options and gluten free; and everyday staples.
The Nielsen research that determines the winners involves evaluating consumer responses to products in terms of relevance, uniqueness, excitement, likeability, value perception, and purchase intent.
San Remo won an award in the pasta and rice category for its Pulse Pasta, which is made using flour from pulses such as peas, lentils, chickpeas and borlotti beans.
Diageo and Australia’s Podpac won an award for their licensing partnership, Baileys Nespresso compatible Premium Coffee Pods.
The Heinz pasta sauce range that was specifically designed to ‘cling’ to pasta was another winners.
