The winners of the Natural and Organic Awards 2014, announced in London earlier this month, pay testimony to the latest developments European companies have come up with in the healthy and organic food segment. The awards were organised in conjunction with the annual Natural & Organic Products Europe trade show, which was held in London in April. The exhibition, which focuses on food organics but also encompasses health, living and beauty, this year had the highest attendance in its history, and is already gearing up for the 2015 edition, which will take place at London’s ExCel centre. The expo has been running since 1997. The award for Best Food Product was given to British firm Pulsin’ for its Vanilla Choc Chip Protein Bar, which is marketed as an alternative to chocolate bars with no added sugars and low GI/GL (glycemic index and glycemic load). Pulsin’ also won in the Best New Organic Food Product category, with the new Raw Organic Blueberry Bar snack. Finalists for the Best Food category included Cofresh Snack Foods, with its Quinoa Chips, and others. Speaking about the awards, Rob Sexton, chief executive at Soil Association Certification, which scrutinises companies and farms seeking to certify their products as organic, said: “Our recent 2014 Organic Market Report showed growth in the organic market for the first time since 2009 so it’s an exciting time for organics. “What’s really encouraging is the growing number of younger people who are becoming natural and organic advocates. “These awards highlight just some of the fantastic organic products available and the innovation taking place.” The Best New Special Diet Product award went to London-based Marigold Health Foods, for the CoYo Coconut Yogurt Vanilla, a vegan yogurt made with coconut milk that is gluten and dairy-free.
by Davide Ghilotti