A range of fruit bars and ethnic toddler foods scooped the top prizes in this year's Dried Fruit New Product Awards. Newly formed company Humdinger won the award for best overall product with Sunsweet dried fruit bars. The judges were impressed by the fact the bars were packed with dried fruit, had no added sugar, were low in fat and were nutritionally equal to three times their weight in fresh fruit. Jane Asher, who was last year's winner, was on hand to present the trophy to the delighted Humdinger and Sunsweet teams. The bars ­ available in apricot, peach and plum flavours ­ also won the prize for the health category. Organix Brands won the competition's other main prize ­ for the best use of raisins and/or sultanas ­ with its range of ethnic toddler foods. The judges liked the fact that Organix was moving away from the bland flavours normally pitched at toddlers and was instead offering products such as fruity vegetable korma and Moroccan vegetable and lamb casserole. This year's awards, which were supported by The Grocer, attracted a record number of entries. The judging panel was particularly impressed to see a diverse use of dried fruit ­ which featured in everything from snack packs to roasts with fruit-based stuffings. Wilfried Tops, who chaired the judging panel, said: "The awards, now in their fifth year, continue to go from strength to strength. "The support shown by retailers and manufacturers is extremely encouraging and the amount of new products entered each year is proof the awards, which are run by the Dried Fruit Information Service, continue to be a success." Safeway won the convenience category with The Best pork loin with apricot stuffing. Honeybuns won the indulgence category with its Goodyfull gluten free chocolate cake. The snacking category was won by South African Dried Foods with its Jungle Bites range of fruit flakes, sour chews and fruit mix. Finally a range of Christmas puddings from Coles Traditional Foods won the category for seasonal products. {{NEWS }}

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