While the election returns rolled in on Tuesday night at SupplySide West, attendees took time out to find out the results of the inaugural SupplySide Editors Choice Awards, presented at a special reception co-sponsored by AIDP, Draco Natural Products and SPRIM.
"As part of the continued expansion of the SupplySide brand franchise, we are thrilled to be recognizing excellence in the consumer and professional packaged goods market with our first Editor’s Choice Awards," said John Siefert, CEO of VIRGO. "SupplySide's editorial team, consisting of experts from Food Product Design, Natural Products INSIDER, SupplySide Cosmetics Insights and more, analyzed products from around the food, beverage, supplement, animal nutrition and personal care markets to define the key innovations that are setting pace in the markets they serve."
The winning companies and products included:
Animal Nutrition Winner: Clear Conscience Pet ~ SuperGravy™
This instant gravy mix is a concentrated source of superfoods that can be given to dogs, cats and even ferrets of all ages, breeds and sizes. It improves the palatability of food for picky eaters or animals that have lost their appetite due to illness or aging; it includes humanely-sourced organ meats from free-range bison and beef, Chia seed as a source of omega-3s, and Organic SuperVeggies™—a blend of spinach, pumpkin and carrots in concentrated form.
Anti-Aging Winner: TwinLuxe ~ Anti-Aging SPF Moisturizer
Marketed to both women and men, the Anti-Aging SPF Moisturizer from TwinLuxe makes use of stem cell technology and antioxidants in this 3-in-1 product. Among its ingredients, the product notably contains: Malus domestica fruit cell culture extract, a skin protectant to combat aging; Centella asiatica leaf extract, to help heal wounds; Leontopodium alpinum meristem cell culture to heal damaged skin cells and serve as an antioxidant; and Buddleja davidii leaf cell culture extract, a skin conditioner.
Beverages Winner: TumericALIVE ~ Vegan Coconut Nectar Elixir
Vegan Coconut Nectar Elixir extends the benefits of the original elixir from TumericALIVE by adding coconut oil and black pepper to helps enhance the bioavailability of turmeric root’s active phytochemical, curcumin. Turmeric has been used traditionally in Indian Ayurvedic medicine, and research has suggested a wide range of potential health benefits associated with curcumin including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. The drink uses coconut nectar as a natural low glycemic sweetener that includes vitamins, minerals and amino acids for extra nutrition.
Functional Foods Winner: Frozen Naked Pizza ~ superbiotic™ pizza
Frozen Naked Pizza offers a line of frozen pizzas with crusts made from an Ancestral Blend of ten grains and seeds and fortified with Ganeden BC30 probiotics. The grains used include oats, brown rice, buckwheat, quinoa, amaranth, teff, spelt, tapioca, and two kinds of wheat, all of which help to increase satiety. The superbiotic™ flavor is topped with artichokes, roasted red peppers, red onions, spinach, mushrooms, roasted garlic and cilantro.
Multivitamin/Mineral Winner: Rich Vitamins ~ alternaVites™ KIDS
A "pixie stick" type of delivery system, alternaVites™ KIDS is intended to be poured directly onto the tongue or into beverages, improving compliance. Rich Vitamins developed the formulation based on recommended and optimal dosages for the target audience of children ages 4 and older. The multivitamin includes 17 essential nutrients in a 2.5 gram serving size with our customers only having to take one packet a day. In addition to water and other common beverages, alternaVites KIDS can be mixed into smoothies, yogurts, shakes, puddings and many other types of food and drink. The company noted the product contains zero grams of sugar, is free of aspartame and high fructose corn syrup, and does not contain artificial sweeteners, colors, flavors or preservatives.
Nutricosmetics Winner: Intelligent Nutrients ~ Intellimune® Tablets
Each Intellimune® Tablet packs as much antioxidant power as 10 pounds of seeds from fresh berries. It all starts with thousands of certified-organic fruit and vegetable seeds (black cumin, cranberry, red grape, raspberry and pumpkin), which are then cold-pressed (minus the chemicals and heat), resulting in an antioxidant-omega supplement that supports healthy cell growth; helps to slow the premature signs of aging; and fights inflammation that causes wrinkles, lines and sagging skin for honest health, and beauty from inside and out.
Organic Winner: Organic Mixology ~ OM Cocktails
No jiggers, shakers or spouts. No mixing, measuring or muddling. This line of pre-mixed libations from OM Cocktails offers mixology-inspired adult beverages straight from the bottle. All of the certified-organic cocktails—including Coconut Water & Lychee, Meyer Lemon & Spicy Ginger, Dark Chocolate & Sea Salt, Wild Cranberry & Blood Orange, and Mango & Kaffir Lime—are made with organic grain vodka, organic agave nectar, and natural flavors and colors. The company uses glass-reduced bottles, nontoxic water-based inks, and labels printed at a carbon-neutral wind-powered facility. In a final sustainable step, the company plants a tree for every bottle sold.
Packaging Design Winner: Joseph Co. Int'l. ~ West Coast Chill
West Coast Chill is the first finished product to use the Chill Can technology developed by Joseph Co. Int'l. The eco-friendly microcool technology uses CO2 reclaimed from the atmosphere and activated carbon sourced from a renewable vegetable source. An activation button on the bottom of the can allows the beverage to drop 30 degrees within minutes; it requires no refrigeration or energy.
Skin Care Winner: Juice Beauty ~ Stem Cell Repair Booster Serum
Forget the water base most skin care products use. Juice Beauty's clinically validated Stem Cellular Repair Booster Serum uses a proprietary blend of fruit stem cells and vitamin C in a resveratrol-rich, organic juice base to help decrease DNA damage, improve cellular turnover, renew firmness and eliminate deep wrinkles. In a six-week clinical trial using its three-part stem cell system, participants experienced improvement in hydration, dark circles and puffiness around the eyes, fine lines and wrinkles, skin tone and luminosity, and elasticity.
Specialty Dietary Supplement Winner: MegaFood ~ Vegan-Ease
MegaFood's Vegan-Ease is crafted to support the digestion and assimilation of a plant-based diet with a targeted enzyme formula that enhances the digestion of high-fiber foods and vegan protein sources. Taken prior to (or during) a meal, Vegan-Ease promotes nutrient absorption and supports digestion of vegan protein sources, such as beans, nuts, soy and hemp, as well as high-fiber whole grains, vegetables and fruits. Organic ginger root is added to stimulate digestion. Vegan-Ease launched as part of a vegan product line, which also includes Vegan Daily, Vegan B12 and Vegan Protect. MegaFood’s vegan supplements are crafted using a process that delivers wholesome nourishment from food, and not just vitamins alone. Certified as animal-free by Vegan Action.
A list of the finalists can be found online. Finalists were selected by the SupplySide content team from analyzing product introductions over the past year in the various categories; the editors voted for their top choices in each category, considering innovation, points of differentiation, market need and positioning.
