British fmcg product developers won two out of nine categories in a prestigious global innovation competition last week - with a little help from The Grocer.

As an official partner of Sial d’Or - a competition involving npd from 29 countries - The Grocer selected eight food and drink products launched in the UK between November 2010 and the end of 2011 to represent Britain.

After travelling to Montreal last week to represent and champion our selections, the UK emerged as the only country with more than one win.

Britvic’s Turbo Tango took the prize for non-alcoholic drink, while The Natural confectionery Company’s Guzzle Puzzle from Kraft was first in the best sweet grocery category.

Britvic’s Turbo Tango, launched in July, is an aerosol-powered foamy version of Tango that can be squirted directly into the consumer’s mouth. It secured the most votes of all the UK products submitted.

“We are delighted Turbo Tango has won, particularly bearing in mind the strength and breadth of the competition,” said a Britvic spokesman. He added that Turbo Tango would be returning to stores later this year.

Guzzle Puzzle, also launched last July, allows consumers to combine different shaped and flavoured sweets to create new combinations. The brand generated £3.4m in retail sales in six months and has since expanded with a 180g sharing bag and a new apple flavour.

“There was lots of time and energy to bring Guzzle Puzzle to market and it is a genuine honour to win,” said a Kraft spokesman.

Guzzle Puzzle and Turbo Tango will appear in the new products showcase at the Sial exhibition in Paris in October, when the overall Sial d’Or winner will be revealed.

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