Grand Prix finalists: Are you on the list?

Finalists for the Retail Council of Canada's Grand Prix New Product Awards have been revealed.

The shortlist includes 93 products from retailers and consumer packaged goods companies.

The Grand Prixs recognize the best of the best in Canadian grocery product innovation. In addition to food items, this year’s awards include private-label non-food items, such as lamps and furniture from Canadian Tire.

Indeed Canadian Tire has the second most finalists this year (nine food and non-food). Only Metro Brands has more, with 13.

Other retailers prominent on the shortlist include Walmart and Federated Co-operatives, each with five products on the shortlist.

 Among CPG companies, Dare Foods and S.C. Johnson and Son have the most finalists: three each.

“Each of this year’s finalists sets a new benchmark for delivering excellence in product development and distribution," Diane Brisebois, president and CEO of the Retail Council of Canada, said in a statement.

“And taken together they demonstrate quite brilliantly how adept the industry is in pinpointing and satisfying the wants and desires of today’s demanding grocery shoppers,” she added.

The Grand Prixs are now in their 23nd year. The award program is open to manufacturers and distributors of all sizes in Canada. This year’s awards recognize products introduced during 2015.

Finalists were chosen by a 37-person jury, including people working in grocery, consumer packaged goods, journalists and dietitians.

 To become a finalist, a product must score at least 70% in judging.

Winners will be announced June 1 at the Grand Prix gala at the Toronto Congress Centre, as part of the Store 2016 retail conference.

 Here is a complete list of finalists in the branded food and non-food categories as well as private-label food and non-food. The list is alphabetically by company in each category:

FOOD PRODUCTS

A Lassonde

• Oasis 70 Calories


• Oasis NutriSolution

Agropur Dairy Cooperative

• Oka L'Artisan Smoke

Canada Bread Company

• Harvest Grain with Apple


• Homestyle Louis Francois Marcotte

Canada Pure

• Canada Pure Sparkling Water Beverage

Cavendish Farms

• FlavourCrisp

Clover Leaf Seafoods

• Toppers

Coca-Cola

• Dasani Sparkling

ConAgra Foods Canada

• Marie Callender's


• Orville Redenbacher's Popcorn Chips

Dare Foods

• Breton Artisanal


• Whippet


• Bear Paws Dipped

Direct Plus Food Group

• McSweeney's Jerky

Emmi Canada

• Emmi Fondoü All-In-One

Finica Food Specialties

• Zerto Smoked Fresh Mozzarella

Fruit d'Or

• Patience Fruit & Co Organic

Gardein

• Gardein

Gay Lea Foods Co-operatives

• Nordica Smooth Cottage Cheese


• Ivanhoe Nothing But Cheese

Granny's Poultry Co-operative

• Slow Cooker Turkey Roast

Hain-Celestial Canada

• Yves Veggie Cuisine Kale & Root Vegetable Patties 12x97g (1.16kg)


• Europe's Best Greens and Grains

Happy Planet Foods

• Happy Planet Nut Smoothies


• Happy Planet Grab & Go Fresh Soups

Industrie Gastronomique Cascajares

• Turkey drumstick fully cooked

Innerseasonings International Inc.

• Tunnel Bar-B-Q (TBQ) Sauces

L'Ancêtre Cheese Factory

• Le Boucané Bio, L'Ancêtre Organic Double Applewood Smoked Cheddar

Laiterie Chalifoux

• Riviera petit pot set-style yogourt

Lantic

• Lantic Stevia Individual Sugar Envelops-Natural & Zero Calories

Maple Lodge Farms

• Maple Lodge Farms Naturally From the Farm Hickory Smoked Chicken Bacon Style

Mars Canada Inc.

• M&M'S Minis Holiday 4-Pack

Naturally Homegrown Foods Ltd.

• Hardbite Chips

Ocean Brands

• Ocean's Snackit Dips

Olymel

• Flamingo Super Crunchy and Gluten Free Chicken Nuggets XOXO

Parmalat Canada

• Astro Athentikos Greek Yogourt


• Président Feta 400g

Prairie Harvest Canada

• Prairie Harvest Organic Coconut Blend Pasta

Single Cup Coffee

• Skinnygirl Cocktail-Inspired Single Serve Tea Cups


• Torani Naturally Flavoured Single Serve Coffee Cups

Smucker Foods of Canada

• Robin Hood Quick Bread Gluten Free Banana

St-Hubert

• Poutine Bites

Weston Bakeries Limited

• Country Harvest Apple Bread

NON-FOOD PRODUCTS

Carlton Cards

• Party Poppers

Kruger Products

• SpongeTowels Ultra Strong paper towel

Nestlé Purina PetCare Canada

• DentaLife Chews


• Tidy Cats LightWeight Litter

S.C. Johnson and Son, Limited

• Off! Familycare Bite and Itch Relief Pen


• Glade Large Jar Candle


• Ziploc brand Freezer Bags with Easy Open Tabs

Smucker Foods of Canada

• Milk Bone Dog Treats

Unilever Canada

• Dove Dry Spray

PRIVATE LABEL — FOOD PRODUCTS

Canadian Tire Retail

• Frank Coffee Pods 30ct


• Frank Chips


• Frank Chocolate Almonds

Federated Co-Operatives

• Co-op Gold Aioli


• Co-op Gold Whisky Caramel Sauce


• Co-op Gold Pure Wagyu Beef Burger


• Co-op Gold Pure Dark Chocolate


• Co-op Gold Pure Granola

Longo's

• Indulgent Chocolate Mousse Cups

Metro Brands

• Irresistibles Life Smart Smoothie


• Irresistibles Olive oil for dipping


• Irresistibles Sauce Marinade


• Irresistibles Dry Sausage


• Irresistibles Avalanche ice cream


• Irresistibles Brownie in the centre


• Irresistibles Artisan- Deep dish pie, 750 g.


• Irresistibles Les hors-d'oeuvres asparagus


• Irresistibles Les hors d'oeuvres Crab Cake


• Irresistibles La pizza


• Irresistibles Potato Gratin


• Irresistibles Old Fashioned Potato Chips


• Irresistibles Cookies

Sobeys

• Sensations by Compliments Extra Virgin Olive Oil


• Jamie Oliver by Compliments


• Sensations Butter & Cheese Puff Pastry Biscuits

Walmart Canada

• Great Value Better for you Entrée


• Our Finest Ethnic Entrées


• Our Finest Thick Cut Chips


• Our Finest Soft Baked Cookies

PRIVATE LABEL – NON-FOOD PRODUCTS

Canadian Tire Retail

• Big Boss Insta Mop


• Frank Shiwala


• Canvas Megan Table Lamp


• Canvas Henrik Chair


• Canvas Quinn Floor Lamp


• Canvas 16 pc Wild Rose Porcelain Dinnerware Set

Mondou

• O'select Dog Snacks


• Vetdiet Pill Covers


• O'select Washable Training Pads


• Vetdiet Treats - Tender delights

Walmart Canada

• Pure Balance Grain-Free Formula Dog Food