Innovators recognised at Gulfood Manufacturing Awards

Companies who are pushing the boundaries of the global food and beverage eco-system were honoured at the Industry Excellence Awards 2019, held at Gulfood Manufacturing, the largest food and beverage processing and packaging show in the Middle East, Asia and Africa.

The six companies – from Greece, UK, UAE, Germany, Sweden and Malaysia were selected by an independent judging panel, from hundreds of submissions.

“The judging process was extremely tough and the shortlisted contenders all demonstrated great innovation,” said Mark Napier, show director, Gulfood Manufacturing. “The judging was conducted in a highly transparent and regulated environment to ensure a fair process throughout and the finalists selected more than matched our criteria of being innovative and original, efficient and cost-effective, health and environmentally conscious and customer centric.”

Most Innovative Food Ingredient – Flavomix AX 200 by Polypan Group, Greece

An organic mist washing spray that acts as a pre-packing natural antioxidant for breads, croissants, biscuits, sauces, dressings, tomato paste and fruit preparations and prevents microbial contamination.

The judges said Flavomix provides considerable “added value, to both process and customer-centric needs where the leaning is towards clean label,” adding that the product aids nutritional benefits, lowering production costs and support food safety compliance.

Most Innovative Processing Solution – Jet Process cooking system by DC Norris & Company, UK

The cooking system halves the production times of sauces, dairy products, soups and ready meals, reducing energy costs and waste as a result. It combines a multi-stage production process into one simple stage enabling the simultaneous mixing, heating, pumping and homogenising of ingredients.

The judges were impressed by the system’s productivity yield, process optimisation and food safety benefits declaring jet processing as “the highest efficient process technology with potential fat and salt reductions.”

Environment Award of the Year – Multivac PaperBoard by Multivac Middle East FZE, UAE

The paper fibre-based packaging solution uses materials from closed recycling loops that already exist. Even if the material is disposed of in normal packaging waste, rather than in a recycling bin, it can be detected in modern recycling centres, removed and fed into a recycling loop.

The judges said the concept stood out for its “innovation as well as benefits to processors, customers and the environment.”

Top Futuristic Technology – CookStay with SuperHeatSmoke by GEA Food Solutions, Germany

A patented in-line smoking process, enabling food processors to speedily recreate BBQ on an industrial scale. The technology works with purified smoke condensate from which the tar and ashes have been removed, resulting in a clean label and healthier product.

The judges viewed the technology as promoting futuristic innovation from a research and development perspective. Their report credited CookStart with being “a promising convenient and efficient innovation which incorporates a massive paradigm in the method of cooking and smoking,” adding that it will have a “game-changing” effect on the industry.

Top Packaging Innovation – Tetra Classic Aseptic 65ml Cube by Tetra Pak, Sweden

This allows for optimal pallet stacking, more efficient distribution and great branding impressions with minimal investment.

The judges were impressed by its capability for design customisation combined with functional use. “Tetra Classic Cube offers opportunities from different perspectives, the most important being the efficient displaying opportunities and the attractive convenient shape,” they said.

Most Innovative Health Ingredient – Couva transfat-free, cocoa butter replacer for confectionery and bakeries by Bunge Loders Croklaan, Malaysia.

The judges were swayed by the nutritional benefits of the product commenting: “Couva is offering a perfect opportunity to deliver no trans-fat and low saturated fat at the same time in confectionery.”

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