MONTREAL — Among 200 applications from 17 countries, competition co-presidents Isabelle Marquis and Xavier Terlet selected 74 products from 13 countries that embody the innovative spirit of SIAL Canada exhibitors.
The products were selected by a Grand Jury based on the following criteria: products had to be launched from January 2023; offer something new or different from what we know in the Canadian market while having the potential to expand to several markets; create value for the intended target and are likely to inspire other food companies to replicate the concept or take it a step further; and products had to be innovative in at least one of the following areas: recipe and composition, packaging, manufacturing process or marketing positioning.
The 10 finalists include:
- Pepper Flakes by .pepper..field – freeze-dried fermented Kampot pepper flakes (with fleur de sel).
- Asian-Inspired Soups by La Presserie – a line of Asian-inspired frozen and vacuum-packed soups made from natural ingredients
- PIZZA BOX by ABC Emballuxe Inc. – re-usable pizza box, suitable for three sizes of pizza
- SORBIÈRE by Savo – craft beer sorbet in a can
- Choco & Betterave by ALIMENTS BELA PEKO – ready-to-cook vegetable puree-based dessert
- El Gusto by TERTULIA BRUGGE, S.A. – high-quality ground coffee in a compostable bag that clings to the rim of the cup for perfect brewing
- Huile d’Olivia by Dear Goodness SARL – line of olive oils created to pair with specific dishes
- YUPIK JUKEBOX MIX by Tootsi Impex Inc. – sweet-and-savoury snacks with a retro concept and original recipes
- KB Bottle by Kinsbrae Packaging – recycled cardboard bottles for non-carbonated liquids
- Chuck Hughes by WC&Co Brands Management – line of mustard coleslaw
“I’m very pleased with the number and, above all, the diversity of innovations entered in this year’s competition. The companies have shown great creativity, sometimes in simplicity, sometimes in sophistication,” says Isabelle Marquis, senior food strategist and co-chair of the SIAL Innovation Jury. “The concern to offer more sustainable products and packaging and the blending of cultures also continues to grow in the offering, which delights me because it’s so in tune with today’s reality.”
