SIAL Innovation 2019 finalists unveiled

The contenders for this year's SIAL Innovation grand prize award were announced at an event in downtown Toronto Tuesday evening.

Seaweed fed lamb, a tofu dip and alcohol-free beer are among the products vying for the top prize.

"With SIAL you really do get to see the next big thing," Dana McCauley, CEO of Blue Unicorn Innovation and SIAL's innovation expert, told attendees prior to announcing the finalists. McCauley said it was interesting to see food trends evolve and how plant-based, single-serve and healthy were all key descriptors of this year's contenders for the SIAL Innovation prize.

About 115 products were in contention for the award, a number that was pared down to just 25 that were evaluated by a jury of food industry experts, which came up with the 10 finalists.

The winner of the Grand Prize will be announced on the first day of SIAL Canada, which runs from April 30 to May 2 at Toronto’s Enercare Centre.

Here's a look at the 10 finalists:

Agneau (Les Bergeries du Margot)

Seaweed fed lamb

Ice Coffee (Löftbergs Canada)

Iced coffee with no sugar added, made from natural ingredients

Instant Miso Soup (Abokichi Inc.)

Naturally fermented miso soup

Naturalbliss Infusions (Naturalbliss Infusions)

A specialty herbal tea infusion with a full serving of tropical fruit

Partake (Partake Brewing)

Non-alcoholic beer

Raw Cookie Dough (Yummy Doh)

Vegan, edible raw cookie dough. Can be baked

Simply Simple Tofu Dips (A&M Gourmet Foods)

Vegan dips made with organic soybean tofu

Todd’s Protein Crisps (Evova Foods Inc.)

Egg protein “puff” snacks

Unbun – Vegan Keto Buns (Unbun Keto Foods)

A paleo, grain-free, starch-free, vegan, keto, gluten-free bread

Yellofruit (Yellofruit)

Banana-based, non-dairy frozen dessert made with all organic ingredients