New Product Awards 2019: the winners

Adult soft drinks

Fentimans Valencian Orange Tonic Water

This “excellent product” from Northumberland’s Fentimans would be “great with gin” shoppers said. They enjoyed the “very fresh flavour”, as did our expert judges, who praised the “lovely aftertaste” of this “authentic” mixer. “The packaging is ideal” they added.

Highly Commended

• Fentimans Pink Rhubarb Tonic Water

Finalists

• Drench Mandarin & Lemon
• Franklin & Sons Succulent Pomegranate & Floral Hibiscus with Delicate Rose
• The Artisan Drinks Company Violet Blossom Tonic

Alcoholic drinks

77 Blush Grapefruit & Rose Gin Liqueur

This “distinctive, sharp drink” offered “rose on the nose” and was “easy to drink” according to our expert panel. There was praise for the “grown-up taste” and “giftable” bottle. Shoppers said the liqueur was an “inventive” variant and “refreshing”, though some considered it “more of a girl’s drink” than an all-rounder.

Highly Commended

• Neptune Rum Gold

Finalists

• 77 Berry Raspberry & Pomegranate Gin Liqueur
• Balans Lime
• Stowford Press Mixed Berries

Breads

Deli Kitchen 4 Sliced Focaccia

A “simple but well-executed concept”, this focaccia from Signature Flatbreads, sold under the Deli Kitchen brand, won favour with our judges, who praised it for being “good value (rsp: £1.35 for 360g), family-friendly, and convenient”. The consensus was that the focaccia delivered to high-quality standards and was “tasty, soft and light”, making it a great alternative to sliced bread.

Highly Commended

• Deli Kitchen 6 Brioche Folded Flatbreads

Finalists

• Mission Kids Disney Kitchen Strawberry Flavoured Wraps
• Mission Kids Disney Kitchen Ketchup Flavoured Wraps

Breakfast

GoFigure Muesli – Matcha Tea & Pistachio

This “innovative” product tasted great, and provided a healthy on-the-go breakfast. A single-serve format, it sparked a great deal of interest among our judges, who were impressed by both the taste and the innovative use of “on-trend” ingredients (matcha tea and pistachio). They felt this would likely attract a millennial audience. They also praised the product for the fact it didn’t use any plastic as part of its packaging. Again, this would likely chime with consumers, many of whom care deeply about the issue of plastic pollution. Some, however, felt the price of £1.75 for 75g was “a bit steep”.

Finalist

• Nestlé Box Bowls

Baby & toddler food

Ella’s Kitchen Organic Melty Sticks – Cheese & Apple

This “very innovative” finger food for weaning was “on trend” and a “great big size for kids to hold on to” according to our expert judges. Shoppers were equally pleased. The snacks had a “great taste” and were handy when on the go.

Highly Commended

• Piccolo Organic Mighty Squeeze Pear, Pea, Banana & Avocado

Finalists

• Babease Organic Beef Ragu
• Kiddylicious Little Bistro Oaty Porridge – Blueberry Flavour
• Little Freddie Grass Fed Beef Lasagne with a Pinch of Parmesan

Cakes & biscuits

Reese’s Rounds Biscuits

With a “balanced flavour”, these sweet biscuits had “good peanut butter taste without being overpowering” our experts said. Shoppers favoured the “crunchy” biscuit and “smooth” chocolate, though some found the peanut butter “sickly”.

Highly Commended

• Flipz Milk Chocolate Coated Pretzels

Finalists

• Cadbury Heroes Cupcakes
• Fox’s Chocolatey Squares Luxury Biscuits
• Fox’s Party Rings Party Bucket
• McVitie’s Jaffa Cakes Nibbles
• Mr Kipling Unicorn Slices

Chilled savoury

Sushi Discovery Box

The Sushi Discovery Box from the Hana Group was commended by shoppers as an “exciting new idea”. They loved the freshness and the “vibrant” appearance. A good weekend treat, the sushi was “delicious, tasty and moist” consumers added. Judges agreed this was “better than the average supermarket sushi”, praising its “relevance and versatility”. It was “a good option for grab and go”.

Highly Commended

• Unearthed Iberico Presa Free Range Pork

Finalists

• Ginsters Cornish Handcrafted Cornish Pasty
• Smörgåsbord Original Swedish Meatballs

Condiments

Hellmann’s Vegan Mayo

This “great product” from Hellmann’s was considered a “new and exciting idea” and “bang on trend”. It impressed judges with its “strong” texture, attractive packaging and impressive branding. Though “a little on the expensive side” at £2.15 for 270g, it was a “great alternative” for those following a vegan lifestyle. The “Hellmann’s quality was not compromised” and it tasted “just like regular mayonnaise”. Some even said they would choose this product over regular mayonnaise, and remarked it would make “a great pot salad”, while shoppers enjoyed the “good taste and colour consistency”.

Finalist

• Heinz Tomato Ketchup No Added Sugar & Salt

Cheese

Boursin Velvety – Garlic & Herb

This whipped version of the well-established “standard” Boursin offer impressed our judges. They were extremely excited by this “high quality” product, which they said was “utterly delicious, fluffy, light and airy”, with a “traditional Boursin flavour”.

Highly Commended

• Al Fresco Cheese Sausages (Plain)

Finalists

• Al Fresco Barbecue Camembert with Honey & Thyme Sauce
• Al Fresco Cheese Steaks (Chilli)
• Ilchester Wensleydale with Elderflower, Blueberry, Lemon & Rose Petals

Confectionery

Vimto Jelly Babies

A “well-executed combo of two classics” said our experts.

Highly Commended

• Cadbury Darkmilk

Finalists

• Divine Chocolate Rich Dark Chocolate with Turmeric & Ginger 85%
• Doisy & Dam Maple, Toasted Rice & Pink Salt Snaps
• Haribo Squidglets
• Joe & Seph’s Milk Chocolate Popcorn Bites
• Walkers Nonsuch Salted Caramel Toffees
• Seed & Bean Organic Sweet Orange & Thyme Fine Dark Chocolate Mini Bar

Crisps & snacks

McCoy’s Muchos – Sour Cream & Onion

This tortilla snack from McCoy’s, “inspired by the street kitchens of Mexico”, impressed our judges with its “crispy and crunchy” texture and spicy flavour. For some shoppers, though, the price of £1.99 for 180g was an issue.

Highly Commended

• Walkers Max Strong – Jalapeño & Cheese

Finalists

• McCoy’s Muchos – Smoky Chilli Chicken
• Hula Hoops Flavarings – Spicy
• Hula Hoops Flavarings – Tangy Cheese
• Propercorn Salted Microwave Popcorn
• Sensations Street Mix – Mexico City

Dairy-free

Califia Farms Chocolate Soy Free Coconut Almond Blend

This blend of water, sugar, coconut, almonds and chocolate performed well with buyers of plant-based products. They called it “delicious” with a “nice aftertaste”. At £2.29 for a 750ml, it was “pretty good value”. Our experts praised the “delightful premium packaging”. The product was “well-executed” and “easy to drink”.

Highly Commended

• Alpro Oat Unsweetened Drink

Finalists

• Alpro Caffe Ethiopian Coffee & Soya Caramel Cup
• Innocent Unsweetened Hazelnut

Cooking sauces & marinades

Belazu Rose Harissa Pesto

This “fantastic” pesto was named by our judges as the overall NPA winner. It was described as “scrummy” and “very tangy, full of flavour, with a subtle kick”. They hailed it as being “great value for money, and a very elegant brand” and as a “store cupboard must-have”. “A great deal of thought and care went into the whole product,” they added. “Overall, this is a fantastic product.”

Highly Commended

• Petti Organic Datterini Tomato Passata with White Truffle

Finalists

• Homepride All-American Mac & Cheese, Classic
• Sharwood’s Japanese Katsu Curry Sauce

Dairy spreads

Président Butter with Sea Salt Crystals

This French-produced butter from Lactalis McLelland was praised by judges for its attractive presentation. The plastic, butter dish-style pack was “sure to be noticed in the chiller cabinet”. Our experts praised the butter’s “creaminess and smoothness”. Many shoppers were also keen. They liked the “good colour” and “smooth texture”, though some were put off by the salt crystals.

A premium option (rsp: £2.50 for 250g), the butter was widely considered as more of an indulgence for use on special occasions than for every day.

Highly Commended

• Lurpak Softest

Desserts

Coppenrath & Wiese Apple Caramel Crumble Tart

This “exciting, new” frozen dessert from Coppenrath & Wiese was considered attractive, with the “novel recipe twist” proving particularly appealing. Judges felt it was an innovative product in terms of the selection of ingredients, and they praised the low price point (rsp: £1.50 for 500g). They also agreed it tasted “homemade”.

Highly Commended

• Gü Limited Edition Salted Caramel Cheesecakes

Finalists

• Coppenrath & Wiese Profiterole Gateau
• Cadbury Dairy Milk Caramel Cheesecake
• Cadbury Dairy Milk Cheesecake

Frozen meals & accompaniments

Bannisters Yorkshire Family Farm Garlic & Rosemary Roasting Potatoes

An “exciting new idea” from Bannisters Yorkshire Family Farm, this product impressed with its “Yorkshire provenance”. Judges loved the taste of rosemary and garlic, which was “delicious but not overpowering”. They also praised the attractive packaging. “This is a good trade-up on standard roasties,” said one expert.

Highly Commended

• Birds Eye Chunky Fish Fingers

Finalists

• Birds Eye Sweet Potato Waffles
• Strong Roots Broccoli & Purple Carrot Bites

Gluten-free – savoury

Whitby Seafoods Gluten Free Wholetail Scampi

“Crispy and tasty scampi with nice large pieces,” said shoppers. Our experts were similarly impressed. “Genuinely delicious whether you’re gluten-free or not,” they enthused.

Highly Commended

• The White Rabbit Pizza Co The Cheeky Chorizo Gluten Free Pizza

Finalists

• Amy’s Kitchen Breakfast Scramble Wrap
• Mash Direct Beer Battered Onion Rings
• The White Rabbit Pizza Co The Mozzarella Master Gluten Free Pizza
• Whitby Seafoods Gluten Free Cod Fillet Goujons

Gluten-free – Sweet

Freaks of Nature Dairy & Gluten Free Chocolate Fudge Hot Pudding

Sweetened with coconut sugar and coconut nectar, this single-serve dessert is a cacao sponge with a dark chocolate fudge sauce. Shoppers considered it to be new and different. They were also delighted by its “excellent taste” and “very nice soft texture” – though some felt it was “a bit small for the price” of £2 for 100g. Our experts called the pudding “convincingly indulgent”. The pack design and glass ramekin also drew much praise.

Finalists

• Nairn’s Gluten Free Oat Bar
• Schär Melto

Healthier drinks

Dalston’s Soda Light – Real Squeezed Rhubarb

This sparkling soft drink from artisanal brand Dalston’s was “easy to drink” and “smells good” according to consumers, though they found it “a little gassy” while some were a little put off by the “expensive” £1.09 price point. Our expert judges liked the soda’s “natural flavour of rhubarb” and the fact it was “not too sweet”. The overall product felt “sophisticated and grown-up” they said, and would mix very well with vodka and ice.

Finalists

• Highland Spring Still Water Eco Bottle
• Red Bull Sugar Free
• Red Bull Tropical Edition Sugar Free

Healthier sweet snacks

Nairn’s Coconut & Chia Oat Biscuits – 55% Less Sugar

Described by Nairn’s as its “lowest-sugar biscuit yet”, this innovation is sweetened in part by dietary fibre and promises to contain “55% less sugar than the average sweet biscuit”. Each Nairn’s biscuit in the 200g pack provides 45 calories. Our experts said it was “justifiably healthier without compromising on taste”, though it was “a little dry”. Consumers felt the “excellent quality” snack “would go well with cheese” and was “value for money” at £1.39.

Finalists

• Benecol Blueberry and Cranberry Fruit & Oat Bar
• Bounce Salted Caramel Protein Energy Ball
• Fulfil Chocolate Salted Caramel Vitamin & Protein Bar

Healthier crisps & snacks

Corners Pop Veggie Crisps Sea Salt & Balsamic

These pop veggie crisps were considered an “exciting new idea” by our experts, who agreed the texture was “crispy and crunchy” and the packaging design was attractive. Although shoppers felt the product was quite expensive, at £1.80 for 85g, they said the flavour was “lovely” and the taste of sea salt “really came through”. The fact the product is made from vegetables was also a plus.

Highly Commended

• Coconut Puffs – Cheese

Finalists

• Coconut Puffs – Thai Chilli
• Corners Pop Protein Crisps – Sweet Barbecue

Hot drinks

Tea India – Harmony & Balance

With its blend of fennel, cinnamon, tulsi (holy basil) and ginger, this herbal infusion was praised by shoppers for its “gorgeous strong taste”. It was “very easy to drink” they said. Our experts, meanwhile, were attracted to the “intriguing ingredients” and “delightful packaging”. All in all, “not a bad cuppa” they said, though they didn’t think it the most innovative addition to its category.

Finalists

• Costa Coffee Latte Pods – Dolce Gusto Compatible
• Dualit Compostable Coffee Bags – Intense Blend
• Dualit Compostable Coffee Bags – Sumatra Mandheling Blend

Non-food

Aquafresh Advance

This toothpaste for kids aged nine to 12 was well received by shoppers. They were attracted to the packaging, and delighted by the “very minty” taste. Our experts said it was “very well thought-through” and provided “good information”.

Highly Commended

• Soapberry Sensitive Water Wipes

Finalists

• EasiYo Yogurt Starter Kit
• Energizer Ultimate Lithium Battery Coin CR2032
• Little Soap Company Organic Bar Soap Grapefruit & Orange
• OPSO Reed Diffusers: Home Fragrances Made from Natural Tree Resin – Nordic Birch Forest

Pet food & treats

Lily’s Kitchen Woofbrush

Our experts said this ‘toothbrush’ chew for dogs was a “clever concept” and “reassuringly approved by vets”. Shoppers rated it as “excellent” and effective in freshening dogs’ breath.

Highly Commended

• Crave Chicken & Turkey Dog Dry Food

Finalists

• Barking Heads Beef Waggington
• Blink Fish Fillets & Roasted Chicken Complete Cat Food Pouch
• Butcher’s Nourishing Food for Dogs Tripe 6 Pack
• Pooch & Mutt Chicken, Pumpkin & Pea Carton
• Scrumbles Grain Free Turkey Wet Dog Food

Low fat

Sharwood’s Low Fat Poppadoms

This Indian-inspired product from Premier Foods provides just 0.9g of fat per 100g. Judges praised its “good poppadom flavour” and a level of rigidity that was “good for dipping”. Shoppers felt it would make a “good low-fat weeknight standby or a weekend treat”. However, some said the salt content was too high, which rather cancelled out the health benefits of the lower fat claim. Additionally, some thought the price was too high, at £1.99 for 94g.

Finalists

• Wall’s Sausage Thins
• Unearther Reduded Fat Milano Salami
• Sacla’ Reduced Fat Basil Pesto

Probiotic drinks

Bio-tiful Cacao Kefir Smoothie

This “good quality” smoothie was “authentic” said our panel of expert judges. It had “great texture”, “nice sweetness” and was “generally quite impressive” they added. But they felt it might be a “touch sour for the younger mainstream”.

Highly Commended

• Willy’s Natural Energy Drink made with Apple Cider Vinegar & Green Tea Kombucha

Finalists

• Captain Kombucha Atlantic Raspberry
• Wonder Drink – Asian Pear & Ginger Kombucha
• Wonder Drink – Green Tea & Lemon Kombucha

Ready meals

Mushroom Pesto Pasta Meal Kit

This meal kit from Muscle Foods, designed for a “no-fuss no-waste” approach “brings something new to the category”. Our judges said the flavours were delicious, and the serving size “very generous” for one person. They also said they felt the concept was “innovative and exciting”. They praised the meal kit for being a “convenient, no-waste offer”, and would be a “good standby” as a mid-week meal solution.

Highly Commended

• Prep Co – Thai Green Curry

Finalist

• Loyd Grossman Pasta Italia Pots – Sundried Tomato and Basil

Soup

Yorkshire Provender Super Broccoli Soup with Yorkshire Cheddar

This low-fat soup’s branding, informative packaging and provenance attracted shoppers. They called it an “unusual mix but tasty”. It was “creamy” and “nice and thick”. Their view was shared by our experts, who admired the product for being healthy “without compromising on taste”. It was “very well made” with a “perfect” level of salt.

Highly Commended

• Yorkshire Provender Aromatic Thai Carrot Soup

Finalists

• Heinz Pot Soup – Cream Of Tomato
• Yorkshire Provender Omero’s Red Pepper Soup with Chorizo

Sports nutrition & weight management

Wow Hydrate Protein – Summer Fruits

With 4g of collagen protein per 100ml, this 500ml sports drink is aimed at “refuelling the body without carbs or sugar”. Positive comments from shoppers included “refreshing” and “nice taste” – while our experts admired the “novel format” of the bottle’s push cap that ‘fires’ ingredients into the liquid.

Finalists

• Bam Organic High Protein Banoffee Shake
• Grenade Carb Killa Birthday Cake
• SlimFast Advanced Vitality Berry Blast Meal Replacement Shake
• SlimFast Advanced Vitality Strawberry & Blueberry Burst Meal Replacement Shake

Store cupboard

Gü Hazelnut & Chocolate Crunchy Spread

At £2.50 per 200g, this sweet spread was considered “great value for money” by our judges. They felt the proportion of nuts to chocolate was spot on, and were impressed by the sustainability credentials of the product, which contains no palm oil and is packed in a reusable glass jar.

Highly Commended

• Del Monte Fruit Fusions Gold Pineapple in Coconut Water

Finalists

• John West Infusions Salad Tuna Fillets – Chilli & Garlic
• Del Monte Gold Pineapple Chunks in Juice
• Sarson’s Pickle in 15 Lightly Seasoned Vinegar Blend
• John West Easy Peel Mackerel – Smokehouse BBQ Sauce

Vegan & vegetarian

Pukka Veggie Leek & Potato Pie in a Creamy Cheddar Sauce

A “new and exciting” product, Pukka’s pie was considered “a handy size for midweek meals”. Judges praised it for being “extremely delicious” with a “generous filling” and “flexitarian appeal”.

Highly Commended

• La Boulangere Vegan 6 Pains au Chocolat

Finalists

• La Boulangere Vegan 6 Croissants
• The Meatless Farm Co Plant Based Mince
• Gosh! Veggie Sausages with Sage & Black Pepper
• Goodfella’s Vegan Stonebaked Falafel Pizza

Yoghurt

Onken Naked Yogurt – Peach & Passion Fruit

The fact this yoghurt from Onken has only three ingredients was a big draw for judges and shoppers alike. Judges hailed this product for its “clean and clear packaging design”, as well as its “smooth” texture and “creamy, fruity” taste. Shoppers agreed this would work well as a mid-week snack, though they agreed that its high quality was such that it would work equally well as a weekend treat.

Highly Commended

• Tims Dairy The London Collection Mango & Turmeric Greek Style Yogurt

Finalist

• Lizi’s Vanilla Breakfast Drink

How our New Product Awards work – and how to enter in 2020

Each product in The Grocer New Product Awards undergoes a two-stage assessment. It is first tried and tested by at least 50 consumers, all under controlled conditions, and assessed for visual appearance, taste, texture, packaging and value for money (among other measures) before moving on for further evaluation by our expert panel. Products are then, where relevant, prepared in professional kitchens, as they undergo scrutiny by expert judges, with the combined scores from the two stages used to determine the winners.

Former winners have described the process as “fantastic recognition” for all their hard work, providing opportunities to build up bigger and better retail listings, and “reinforce a brand’s premium credentials” by walking away with a prestigious and hard-fought award.

And from the moment our 2019 winners are crowned at a glittering ceremony at the Marriott Hotel in Grosvenor Square hotel this week, registrations will be open for next year’s competition.

So, whether you’ve launched a healthy snack, a premium bodywash, an exquisite dessert or the next big thing in gut health, head straight to thegrocernewproductawards.co.uk to register.

Brands that believe they have the winning formula across one of numerous food, drink and non-food categories can register their interest immediately by heading to the New Product Awards website, where all 2019 finalists, winners and photos will be published.

Entries for the 2020 awards will officially open from December this year. The deadline for entries will be in late February 2020.