New Product Awards 2020: the winners

The chaos of 2020 saw factories and supermarkets overhauled, categories turned upside down and conventional retail wisdom all but thrown out. But amid the chaos the sector’s suppliers have continued to innovate and delight.

From plant-based pioneers breaking new technological ground, to longstanding fmcg heavyweights tearing up the rulebook with ingenious tweaks to classic staples, it was no small task for our expert judges, who have left no stone unturned examining and critiquing this year’s crop. It was also fantastic to see the major strides made by many suppliers in making their packaging more sustainable.

Confined to our homes, it’s been doubly important that the industry spices up our lives with little moments of joy, inspiration, variety and convenience. So to all our winners and highly commended products we say to you: massive congratulations.

• We couldn’t celebrate the awards in person this year. But that didn’t prevent us putting on a high-tech virtual bash, complete with Hollywood-style CGI. You can relive the action at www.thegrocernewproductawards.co.uk

Adult drinks - alcoholic

Spirited Union Queen Pineapple & Spice – Spirited Union Distillery

Highly commended: Henry Westons Cloudy Vintage – Westons Cider

Adult drinks - non-alcoholic

Caleño Juniper & Inca Berry Non-Alcoholic Spirit – Caleño Drinks

Highly commended: Lowlander 0.00% White Ale – Lowlander Botanical Beers

Baby & infant food

Kids Kefir Slurpy Strawberry – Biotiful Dairy

Highly commended: Bear Paws Mango & Carrot – Bear

Bagged snacks

Vegan Sheese & Red Onion – Kettle Chips

Highly commended: Lightly Salted Hand-cooked Crisps – Two Farmers

Bread & baked goods

Jason’s Ciabattin White – Geary’s Bakery

Highly commended: Jason’s Ancient Grains & Seeds Ciabattin – Geary’s Bakery

Cakes & biscuits

Maltesers Biscuits – Mars

Highly commended: Chocolate Fudge Cupcakes – Alternative Foods London (Oggs)

Cereal & breakfast

Fibreful Oatbran Porridge – Morning Foods

Highly commended: GoodBelly Oat Flakes with Blueberry & Banana pieces – Cereal Partners UK

Cheese

Galbani Italian Burrata – Lactalis UK & Ireland

Highly commended: Lye Cross Farm Certified 100% Grass-Fed Organic Mature Cheddar – Alvis Brothers

Confectionery

Bonds of London Pun Boxes: You’re one in a Melon – IB Group

Highly commended: Salted Caramel Cups – Buttermilk

Cooking sauces & condiments

Big Tom Spiced Tomato Ketchup – James White Drinks

Highly commended: Premium Mango Chutney – Geeta’s Foods,Miso Mushroom Brilliant’broth – Itsu

Dairy-free

Minor Figures Chai Latte – Minor Figures

Highly commended: Applewood Vegan Slices – Norseland

Desserts

Proper Puds Bread & Butter Pudding – Charlie Bigham’s 

Highly commended: Proper Puds Sticky Toffee Pudding – Charlie Bigham’s

Frozen

Chicago Town Pizza Kitchen Tiger Crust Cheese Medley – Dr Oetker

Highly commended: Hoisin Duck Bao’buns – Itsu

Home baking

Allergen-Free Chocolate Cake Baking Mix – Creative Nature

Highly commended: Cadbury Home Baking Kits – Premier Foods

Hot drinks

Lungo Americano Aluminium Coffee Capsules – Dualit

Household products

Laundry Egg – Ecoegg

Highly commended: Surf Coconut Bliss – Unilever UK & Ireland

Ice cream

Häagen-Dazs 150-Calorie Gelato Caramel Swirl – General Mills

Highly commended: Salted Caramel Low Calorie Ice Cream Sticks – Oppo Brothers

Kitchen cupboard

Authentic Tahini – Belazu

Highly commended: Chilli Con Carne Bisto Seasoning Mixes – Premier Foods

Meal accompaniments

Rainbow Mini Waffles – Birds Eye

Highly commended: Cauliflower Hash Browns – Strong Roots

Meat & fish

Jumbo Scampi (chilled) – Whitby Seafoods

Highly commended: BigFish Signature Oak Smoked Salmon – JCS Fish

Milk drinks

Lactofree Semi-Skimmed Organic Milk Drink – Arla Foods

Highly commended: Barista Coffee Co Cafe Latte – FrieslandCampina

Personal use

Ambience Apothecary Muscle Balm – Eos Scientific

Highly commended: Mindful Bathing Salts – Westlab

Pet food & treats

Gnashers Daily Dental Treats – Scrumbles

Highly commended: The Best Ever Beef Mini Burgers – Lily’s Kitchen

Ready meals

Gosht ka Salan – Saffron Tree

Highly commended: Panang Chicken Curry with Black Rice – Mindful Chef

Reduced sugar

Chunky Biscuit Breaks Oats, Apple & Cinnamon – Nairn’s

Highly commended: Low Sugar Maple & Pecan Granola – Lizi’s

Smoothies & fruit juice

Innocent Plus Bolt From The Blue – Innocent Drinks

Highly commended: Ginger Dosing Bottle – Moju

Soft drinks & mixers

Sister’s Infused Soda Guava & Lime – Franklin & Sons

Highly commended: Radnor Infusions Lemon & Mint – Radnor Hills

Soup, rice & noodles

Biryani Rice Steam Pots – John West

Highly commended: Mr Lee’s Noodles Coconut Chicken Laksa – Mr Lee’s Pure Foods Co

Sport Bars & Snacks

Flipz Milk Chocolate Coated Pretzels – Pladis

Highly commended: Smokey Barbecue Pea Pops – UF International

Vegetarian & vegan savoury

Richmond Meat-Free Sausages – Kerry Foods

Highly commended: Chicago Town Tomato Stuffed Crust Takeaway Sticky BBQ Jackfruit Saucy Vegan Pizza – Dr Oetker

Vegetarian & vegan sweet

Squeaky Bean Fluffy American-Style Pancakes – Winterbotham Darby

Highly commended: Free From Chocolate and Vanilla Cheesecakes – Gü, Creamy Vanilla Quark Bar – Yaar