Alberta's Squoosh wins SIAL jury award

Squoosh, a squeezable fruit and veggie snack for kids, has won the World Tour by SIAL Jury Selection award for Canada.

The product, made by Alberta’s Baby Gourmet, was chosen by the 28-member SIAL jury in Paris. Squoosh represents the trend in Canada toward eating healthy, organic food.

Jennifer Carlson, a Calgary mom who wanted to feed her young children better snacks, invented Squoosh.

Every package of passes strict nutritional guidelines. It also passes all USDA and organic certifications.

But Baby Gourmet goes a step further. Employees actually taste every single batch of Squoosh themselves. If they don’t absolutely love it, they pour it out and start from scratch.

Flavours of Squoosh include Banango (bananas, mango, apples, and squash); Squabbleberry (apple, bananas, squash, and blueberry); Beetberry (apple, beet, banana and blueberry), and Orangobango (mango, bananas, apple and carrot).

The World Tour by SIAL Jury Selection award is given to one product from each of the 28 countries taking part in the World Tour by SIAL Awards, (formerly known as the SIAL d’Or).

Judging for the new World Tour by SIAL Awards was held recently in Paris. Some 28 countries from around the world submitted products that each represented a consumer trend in their individual country.

Based on the various presentations of the products, the 28-member jury voted by secret ballet for the most outstanding products that will win a gold, silver or bronze World Tour by SIAL Award. The winners will be revealed during the gigantic SIAL food and beverage exhibition in Paris, Oct. 19 to 23.

Along with Squoosh, two other Canadian products are in the running for gold, silver and bronze. They are TeaPops from DeeBees Specialty Tea Foods from Victoria, and SexCereal from Big Life Living Inc. from Toronto.

Here’s a list of the 27 other World Tour by SIAL Jury Selection award winners. (The trend each product represents in that country is in brackets.)

Argentina: Gallo Snacks Bizcochos de arroz (healthier snacks)

Australia: Connoisseur Ice Cream (premium products)

Austria: Maggi Zart Gebraten (convenience)

Belgium: Vidal (responsible pleasure)

Brazil: Line Cardeal Olive Oil (sophistication)

China: Coconut Milk Beverage (dietary health)

Czech Republic: (Piramidky Koreni Vitana (ease of use)

France: Les Siphones (convenience)

Germany: Sin N. 8 (hybrid beer and wine)

Greece: Chocolate Extra Virgin Olive Oil (contemporary twist)

Hungary: Valdor Roast Duck line (fine dining)

India: Daily Fresh: (dairy products)

Ireland: Fusion and Street (alternate taste profile)

Israel: Yeast Flour (online shopping)

Italy: Italia Tipica (local authenticity)

Japan: Drop of Freshness (smaller volume)

Netherlands: Sourcy Holy Sda (sustainability, health)

New Zealand: Anchor Milk in Light Proof 'Bottle" (premium, control of content)

Norway: Helsprott Knekkebrod (healthy very crisp bread)

Poland: Ksiazece Jasne Ryzowe (openess to other countries' flavours)

Portugal: Sagres Radler (savings, home consumption)

Russia: Cedar Milk (added value product)

South Africa: Gourmet United Tastes of Africa (quick and easy)

Spain: Carmencita's cocktails (consumption at home)

Turkey: Cikolatali Zeytin Kremasi (innovation)

United Kingdom: Fiery Kadhai Meal Kit (more cooking at home)

United States: Greek Style Yogurt Dips (anything Greek)