Winners of 2017 Bridge2Food Sports & Active Nutrition Awards
Carbonated protein soda, delicious meat snack bars, ready to drink meals (RTD) and ingredients designed to mask the flavour of protein were the winners of Bridge2Food’s 2017 Sports & Active Nutrition Awards showcasing innovation, the use of natural, functional ingredients and the continued trend to adapt mainstream products to target the active nutrition market.
FORI Meat Snack Bars was the winner of Best Sports & Active Nutrition Product – a natural, long life, high protein meat snack, developed in Wales by Carl Austin with tempting flavours such as Moroccan Apricot & Date. Thai Turkey with Chia Seeds & Lemongrass and Chili Beef with Cranberry and Date.
Judge Claire Nuttall, founder of Brand Incubator said: “These meat snacks were natural tasting, convenient and very simply so much more ‘foodie’ and appetising than many meat snacking options out on the market. They brought something different and more aspirational to the category. Adding chia seeds and other innovative healthy ingredients makes all the difference to making a good product, great!”
Carl Austin, founder of Fori said: “Winning the award is a huge honour for us. Our real snack revolution has only just begun. Hopefully, recognition from such a prestigious judging panel will help spread the word to active people that you can snack without compromise.”
Saturo Foods RTD was awarded Best Sports & Active Nutrition Beverage – one 500ml bottle contains a complete, balanced meal including cabohydrates, protein, lipids, fibre, vitamins and minerals. Saturo can be consumed straight from the bottle, is available in a range of flavours has a low glycemic index and is totally vegan.
Claire Nuttall said: “Saturo tasted delicious. Unlike other competitor alternatives, the chocolate one in particular had a great texture and taste, making you feel like you were nourishing your body. A great design which looked far more contemporary than alternatives on the market closely linked to old age rather than modern lifestyles. A modern approach to eating well on the move if you have to skip a meal. They really fill you up, yet don’t feel hard work at all.”
Star Nutrition Protein Soda from Gymgrossisten was awarded Best New Category Development. A new carbonated protein drink in four flavours – Cola, Orange, Lemon & Lime and Exotic – containing 10 grams of protein per serving with a delicious taste and texture. An ‘on the go’ protein product, designed for both mainstream retail consumers and established gym user as an alternative to sugar filled ‘fizzy pop’ and as a stand-alone post workout drink.
Colinda Hoegee, MD, Holland & Barrett Benelux, said: “The judges felt that Protein Soda represented a creative innovation in the active nutrition beverage category. This reflects the increasing trend to adapt mainstream products to target active consumers as well as sports enthusiasts, looking for functional, tasty products.”
Firmenich Ltd was awarded Most Novel Ingredient for its range of ‘Protein Shield Flavours’ designed to mask the bitter and astringent notes of protein whilst enhancing the desirable sensory characteristics of flavour. The natural, dairy free range was developed using Firmenich’s ‘captive protein masking technology’ delivers a smooth and clean taste profile and effectively masks the undesirable flavour notes of functional ingredients.
Colinda Hoegee, MD of Holland & Barrett, Benelux, said: “The judges felt that Firmenich’s range of Protein Shield Flavours developed with extensive sensory testing, represents a key innovation, and significant market opportunity. As the demand for alternative protein products increases, the ability to not only mask the taste and texture of protein but to enhance its taste is a real breakthrough.”
Gerard Klein Essink of Bridge2Food said: “These are exciting times in the sports & active nutrition industry with the increasing trend towards targeting active mainstream consumers. Our awards recognise and showcase the entrepreneurs and companies that are leading the way and the winners suggest that the future is very bright for our industry.”
The expert panel of judges was:
- Colinda Hoegee – MD, Holland & Barrett Benelux
- Claire Nuttall – Founder of The Brand Incubator
- Robert Walker – CEO Voff Science
- Pieter- Paul Verheggen – CEO of Motivaction
- Asker Jeukendrup – director, Mysportscience.
The winners were announced at the 7th Sports & Active Nutrition Summit 2017 in the Netherlands. Europe’s leading Acive Nutrition Summit from brought together leading professionals from around the world to share new innovations, insights and developments in the industry.
