25th Anniversary Canadian Grand Prix New Product Winners Revealed - Retail Council of Canada

25th Anniversary Canadian Grand Prix New Product Winners Revealed

New products reflect consumer demand for healthier foods and more exotic flavours

 

TORONTO, May 30, 2018 – Metro Brands, g.p. was the most awarded company at this year’s 25th Anniversary Canadian Grand Prix Awards Gala. Metro picked up an impressive total of five awards for different products in their Irresistibles line.

Retail Council of Retail Council of Canada’s Canadian Grand Prix New Product Awards is a rigorous, annual competition of the best new grocery products. Becoming a Canadian Grand Prix winner is often a game changer because of the direct and extensive exposure to key retailers, buyers and new consumers these products receive.

Joining Metro in the winners’ circle were three other Special Award recipients. Fourmi Bionique Inc. won the coveted All-Canadian trophy for their Nutbrown Grain Free Granola, Bonduelle won the Overall Consumer Value award for their Spinach Dip Artichoke and Seasoning, and Finica Food Specialisties Ltd who won the Packaging Award for Lenberg Farms.

“This year’s 25th Anniversary awards showcase the best of the best new grocery products from across Canada. It is exciting that outstanding products are being introduced by established manufacturers, new suppliers, as well as smaller boutique and family-owned retailers” said Diane J. Brisebois, President and CEO of Retail Council of Canada.

Chef and chief jury chair Marcus Von Albrecht oversaw the judging panel. From 119 finalists who scored at least 70% on the rigorous product evaluation measures that focused exclusively on quality and innovation, only 40 received the prestigious recognition as Canadian Grand Prix New Product Award winners.

Other multiple-category winners included Rexall Pharmacy Group Ltd, Sobeys Inc, and Walmart Canada.

Also awarded at the Gala were T&T Supermarkets’ Cindy and Tina Lee who received RCC’s 2018 Canadian Grand Prix Trailblazer Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of their tremendous contributions to the grocery industry in Canada.

To view the complete list of this year’s winners, visit: www.rccgrandprix.ca

Sponsors of this year’s Canadian Grand Prix awards include: Gold level – PaduloX,t Canada Post, Reebee; Bronze level – TC Transcontinental.

About the Canadian Grand Prix New Product Awards:
Now in its 25th year, the Canadian Grand Prix New Products Awards is an annual program that celebrates new products in food, non-food and private label categories. The program provides a unique opportunity for entrants to showcase new products to a jury of industry experts and to be recognized by their peers.

The program is open to manufacturers, suppliers and distributors. To be eligible, a product must have been introduced to the market between January 1 and December 31, 2017. Products are judged on presentation and packaging, product attributes, innovation and originality and, overall value to the consumer.

List of 25th Anniversary Canadian Grand Prix New Product Award Winners by Category:


FOOD/ PRODUITS ALIMENTAIRES

Fresh (par- baked)
BRIDOR
Au Pain Doré Origine Danish

Baking Needs & Dried Bakery
HEARTLAND FOOD PRODUCT GROUPS
SPLENDA® Stevia No Calorie Sweetener

Beverages
TWINNING® OF LONDON
Twinings® Exotic Mango and Ginger Green Tea

Condiments & Sauces
AB WORLD FOODS
Blue Dragon 3 Step

Confectionery & Shelf Stable Desserts
LAMONTAGNE CHOCOLATE INC.
Lamontagne Collection

Dairy (Milk, Yogurt, Cheese & Spreadables)
GAY LEA FOODS CO-OPERATIVE
Nordica Smooth Cottage Cheese

Deli Meats and Cheeses
FINICA FOOD SPECIALITIES LTD
Lenberg Farms

Frozen or Refrigerated Prepared Foods & Entrees
BONDUELLE
Spinach dip, artichoke and seasoning

Fruits, Vegetables and Produce (Fresh, Refrigerated Or Frozen)
TERRA BEATA FARMS LTD.
40% Less Sugar Whole Dried Cranberrries

Meat, Egg & Seafood Fresh (Refrigerated or Frozen)
BLEUMER
Cubes for tartar Sushi à la maison

Shelf Stable Prepared Foods & Entrees
FOURMI BIONIQUE INC.
Nutbrown Grain Free

Snack (Savoury)
LEFT FIELD FOODS
SPOKES Puffed Potato Snacks

Snack (Sweet)
PRANA
Chocolate Bark

NON-FOOD

Baby Care
BABY GOURMET FOODS INC.
Baby Gourmet- Shakers Nutritional Beverage

General Merchandise
CARLTON CARDS
Sweet Eats

Health Care – Oral Hygiene
SUNSTAR AMERICAS INC.
GUM® Flossers

Health Care – OTC (Over the Counter)
NAMËNA BIOSCIENCES
IGNITE-SX

Paper, Plastic & Foil
Group CASCADES TISSUE GROUP
Cascades FluffTM

Personal Care
HAIN-CELESTIAL CANADA, ULC.
Jason® Dry Spray Deodorant

PRIVATE LABEL – FOOD

Bakery Fresh (par- baked)
METRO BRANDS, G.P
Irresistibles Apple, Maple and Cranberry Pie

Baking Needs & Dried Bakery
SOBEYS INC.
Compliments Naturally Simple Seed and Ancient Grain Blend

Beverages
SOBEYS INC.
Sensations by Compliments Cold Brew Coffee

Condiments & Sauces
LONGOS BROTHERS FRUIT MARKETS INC.
Longo’s Signature Muffuletta

Confectionery & Shelf Stable Desserts
SOBEYS INC.
Sensations by Compliments Milk & Dark Chocolate Almond Dates

Dairy (Milk, Yogurt, Cheese & Spreadables)
METRO BRANDS, G.P.
Irresistibles Organics Lactose-Free Cheese

Desserts (fresh, refrigerated or frozen)
SOBEYS INC.
Compliments Gluten Free Cookie Dough

Frozen or Refrigerated Prepared Foods & Entrees
FEDERATED CO-OPERATIVES LIMITED
CO-OP® GOLD Perogies

Fruit, Vegetable & Produce (Fresh, Refrigerated or Frozen)
SAVE-ON-FOODS
Western Family Salad Kits

Meat, Egg & Seafood (Fresh, Refrigerated or Frozen)
METRO BRANDS, G.P.
Irresistibles Organics Grain Fed Chicken

Snack (Savoury)
METRO BRANDS, G.P.
Irresistibles Old-Fashioned Potato Chips

Snack (Sweet)
REXAL PHARMACY GROUP LTD
Nosh & Co. Premium Artisanal Shortbread Cookies

PRIVATE LABEL – NON -FOOD

Baby Care
WALMART CANADA
Parent’s Choice Diaper Pail Refills

General Merchandise
CANADIAN TIRE CORPORATION
NOMA Advanced Constant-Lit C6 LED Christmas String Lights

Health Care – OTC (Over the Counter)
WALMART CANADA
Equate Whey Protein Powder

Personal Care
REXALL PHARMACY GROUP LTD
Kit 3-in-1 Sponge

Pet Needs
METRO BRANDS, G.P.
Irresistibles Apple & Chicken Dog Treats

SPECIAL AWARDS

All Canadian
FOURMI BIONIQUE INC.
Nutbrown Grain Free Granola

Overall Consumer Value
Bonduelle
Spinach dip, artichoke and seasoning

Innovation and Originality
HIGH LINER FOODS
Can’t Mess It Up! Wild Pink Salmon

Innovative Packaging
FINICA FOOD SPECIALTIES LTD
Lenberg Farms

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About Retail Council of Canada:
Retail is Canada’s largest employer with 2.1 million Canadians working in our industry. The sector annually generates over $76 billion in wages and employee benefits. Core retail sales (excluding vehicles and gasoline) were $369 billion in 2017. Retail Council of Canada (RCC) members represent more than two thirds of retail sales in the country. RCC is a not-for-profit, industry-funded association that represents small, medium and large retail businesses in every community across the country. As the Voice of Retail™ in Canada, we proudly represent more than 45,000 storefronts in all retail formats, including department, grocery, specialty, discount, independent retailers and online merchants. RetailCouncil.org