The 'Product of the Year' consumer packaged goods awards seek to recognise innovation in various categories including food and drink and organisers of the annual event say entries are now open for 2014.
Winning products are selected by around 11,000 consumers, via an independent survey conducted by research group Neilsen. To be eligible, products must have been launched between January 2012 and August 2013.
Entries are first vetted by a jury panel of experts, and according to Product of the Year Australia, they will be on the look out for either completely new types of products or new and innovative twists on existing products or brands, such as a new ingredient, redesigned shape or size, new formula or new packaging.
Last year's winning products, for instance, included the Queen Chocolate Mill, which provides grated chocolate in a twist, Macro Gourmet Dips, which are now also gluten and dairy-free, and the Birch & Waite Stir Fry Sauces range, a preservative-free, chilled blend of premium ingredients to go with stir-frie dishes.
Streets New Blue Ribbon 3-in-1 range, which combined three flavours in one tub, was another winner, as was Cadbury’s Dairy Milk Marvellous Creations, with its redesigned packaging and unexpected and interesting flavours and textures.
According to the director of Product of the Year Australia, Sarah Connelly, previous award winners in Australia have reported sales increases of over 40 per cent after using the Product of the Year logo on their packaging, promotions and advertising, which winners are able to do for 12 months following their win.
Product of the Year was established 27 years ago in France, and it now operates in 28 countries and, according to organisers, aims to guide consumers to the best products in their market and reward manufacturers for quality and innovation.
Additional information on how to enter can be found at http://productoftheyear.com.au.
