Preshafood also won the ‘Best new juice or juice drink’ category and was a finalist in the ‘Best newcomer brand or business’ and ‘Best design in PET’ categories.
“Preshafruit’s unique, triangular bottle really sets it apart from other offerings in the juice aisle,” said Beverage Innovation magazine managing editor, Claire Phoenix. “The bottle immediately gives the product a super-premium feel, and the whole presentation – including the sophisticated labelling and unique closure – gives consumers plenty of clues as to how good these drinks taste. First purchase is assured through the packaging innovation, repeat purchase is guaranteed through a great-tasting and refreshing drinking experience.”
“The Beverage Innovation Awards, which we have run for the past five years, is all about seeking out true innovation, and Preshafruit delivers on so many levels,” said FoodBev Media group editorial director, Bill Bruce. “Preshafood’s high-pressure processing technology is real innovation, and the packaging follows through. The ‘Best new juice or juice drink’ category featured 39 products from 12 countries and the judging panel kept coming back to Preshafruit due to its visual and tactile appeal. Once they had tasted some of the flavours, it was clear that Preshafruit was going to be a finalist. It won the category by a clear margin.
“Preshafruit was a finalist in the hotly contested categories of ‘Best newcomer brand or business’, and ‘Best design in PET’, so when the time came to choose the ‘Best overall concept’ from the entire awards scheme, it was no surprise that Preshafruit was selected.
“Of the 340 entries from 40 countries in 24 categories, just three products were chosen by the judges for consideration as ‘Best overall concept’. The other two were another new juice range, Fruit Lab from Netherlands-based Fruity King, and PepsiCo’s Pepsi Natural.
“The panel deliberated long and hard before declaring Preshafruit the winner, ‘for delivering true innovation from process to packaging and following through with a great, fresh taste’.”
The awards gala dinner – the biggest gathering ever seen in the industry – took place during Drinktec, the world’s largest drinks technology trade show. Representatives and members of awards partners Unesda, the Union of European Beverages Associations, and WAFG, the German alcohol-free drinks association, were joined by members of other industry trade associations, plus senior managers from more than 100 businesses from over 30 countries.
The awards gala dinner was introduced by FoodBev Media chairman, Richard Hall, and was hosted by FoodBev Media group editorial director, Bill Bruce, and Beverage Innovation managing editor, Claire Phoenix.
Bill Bruce added: “Once again, the non-alcoholic drinks industry has delivered an impressive range of innovations and initiatives. While the development of new flavours and new packaging keeps the industry one step ahead of consumer demand, it’s also increasingly demonstrating best practice in environmental responsibility. We’re delighted to have had the opportunity to share the celebration with such a large number of representatives of the industry during the world’s most prestigious drinks industry trade show.”
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