The winners of the coveted Natural and Organic Awards 2015 were announced on Sunday 19 April in The Platinum Suite at ExCeL London, after the close of business of the first day of the Natural & Organic Products Europe trade show.
Hosted by Natural Products News, in association with the Soil Association, the annual awards brought together over 400 industry professionals to recognise and celebrate the standout brands and products of the year.
Broadcaster, comedian and MasterChef finalist Hardeep Singh Kohli introduced the awards after declaring his own “20 years involvement in the organic movement” – and describing the all-organic dinner as “by the far the best and most sustainable food I’ve ever had at an awards ceremony”.
He congratulated all the winners “for doing the fantastically important job of protecting the planet and its rich natural resources for our children and grandchildren”.
The 2015 Natural and Organic Awards attracted a wealth of high calibre entrants from all across the UK, whilst this year’s New Product Showcase awards, which were voted for by visitors to the show on Sunday 19 April, saw a record 325 entries.
“The Natural and Organic Awards grow in stature each year and the exceptional standard of entries for 2015 illustrates why they have become a real benchmark for excellence in the natural and organic community – and beyond,” said Jim Manson, editor of Natural Products News.
“The Natural and Organic Awards have become a real benchmark for excellence in the natural and organic community – and beyond”
Commenting on the awards, Clare McDermott, business development director at Soil Association Certification, said: “We are delighted to be a part of these important awards, which can help provide a bigger platform for the innovators and leaders who make this happen, showcasing their great new products, and celebrating all of the hard work involved. The number of amazing new products in the marketplace this year is testament to the strength of the organic sector, now in its third year of consecutive growth, according to this year’s Organic Market Report. Congratulations to all!”
The shortlisted finalists and winners of The Natural and Organic Awards 2015 are:
NATURAL PRODUCTS SPECIAL CONTRIBUTION AWARD
Winner: Wendy Atkinson, managing director, Modern Herbals
“I am extremely proud to have received the Special Contribution Award for contribution and commitment to an industry which I have been fortunate enough to have worked in for over 25 years, and to which any contribution within our industry is such an absolute pleasure. The people, products and ethics of our industry are second to no other!” says Wendy Atkinson, managing director, Modern Herbals.
BEST NEW FOOD PRODUCT
Presented by: Lisa Bradley, managing director, Pegasus PR
Winner: Pulsin’ Ltd, Mint Choc Chip Protein Snack
Finalist: AZ Agricola Marianna Sallemi, WolfPit – Ultra Premium EVOO
Finalist: Bounce Foods Ltd, Bounce Natural Energy Balls, Cacao Mint
“Simon, Ben and myself are so happy to have won best new food product for the Pulsin’ Mint Choc Chip protein bar. We’ve been working hard over the last year to extend our range of bars with this dairy free, high protein snack. It keeps natural sugar levels down but maintains an exceptional taste delivery and soft texture. Big thanks goes out to the retailers who voted for us – thanks for your support!” says Nick Bildner, director, Pulsin’ Ltd.
BEST NEW SPECIAL DIET PRODUCT
Presented by: Emma Cockerill, director of sales & procurement, Holland & Barrett
Winner: Coyo, Coyo Cherry Coconut Milk Yoghurt
Finalist: Vdelicious, V DELICIOUS
Finalist: Koko Dairy Free, Koko Dairy Free Spread
“We are overjoyed to win this award for our new Morello Cherry Flavour. The fact that it is voted for by all the show attendees makes it mean so much more. We strive to put a quality product out there, and to get recognition like this is fantastic!” says Bethany Eaton, founder of CoYo.
BEST NEW DRINK PRODUCT
Winner: BodyMe Ltd, BodyMe Matcha Tea
Finalist: KMERA Ltd (Jools Drinks), Acerola JOOLS in Mango Green Tea
Finalist: Pukka Herbs Ltd, Womankind
“We are ‘over the moon’ to have won such a prestigious award. Being able to dance among some of the bigger companies has given us a huge confidence boost to keep adding great organic products to our all-organic range of super foods and teas. Thanks to all our voters and customers for the matcha love and what a show!” says Leigh Prideaux, founder of BodyMe Ltd.
BEST NEW NATURAL LIVING & HOME PRODUCT
Winner: Humble Brush, Humble Brush
Finalist: Savvy Green LLC, Laundry Packs
Finalist: Pet Revolution Ltd, WildWash Fragrance No. 3 Gift Set
“Receiving the award as the Best Natural Living & Home product is a great honour for us at Humble Brush. Not only is it a recognition from major retailers, but also a great tool to market and help build our brand even further. We are delighted to see that people have already approached us thanks to the award, and we can’t wait to see the long-term effects. We will definitely be participating in the upcoming years with new product ideas,” says Noel Abdayem, founder, Humble Brush.
BEST NEW HEALTH & NUTRITION PRODUCT
Presented by: Alan Martin, BonPom
Winner: Natures Aid Ltd, PRO-30 Max
Finalist: Pukka Herbs Ltd, Night Time
Finalist: Solgar Vitamins Ltd, Full-Spectrum Curcumin 185x
“We’d like to say a big thank you to all the retailers who voted for our products in the awards. We are delighted that PRO-30 Max won the Best New Health and Nutrition Product award as the feedback from retailers and consumers has been fantastic since the launch of the product. We are also thrilled with the recognition that Collagen Beauty Formula and Organic Evening Primrose Oil received in the awards,” says Chris Morrey, director of commerce, Natures Aid Ltd.
BEST NEW NATURAL BEAUTY & SPA PRODUCT
Presented by: Nigel Herman, UK Sales Director, Viviscal
Winner: Savannah Bee Company, Royal Jelly Body Butter
Finalist: Natures Aid Ltd, Collagen Beauty Formula
Finalist: Savon Stories, Cold-Processed Organic Liquid Soap
“The Natural Product Expo UK helped introduce our brand to an international audience and connected us to partners who can represent us in the UK. We are honoured and thrilled to have our Savannah Bee Royal Jelly a body Butter win the Best New Beauty and Spa Product Award,” says excutive vice president Maria Lancaster.
NATURAL PRODUCTS SALES PERSON OF THE YEAR
Winner: Faiq Arif, Solgar Vitamins
Finalist: Bob Parker, G&G Vitamins
Finalist: Bridget Cole, Pukka Herbs
“Winning Sales Person of the Year was a total shock. I didn’t have any indication that anyone voted for me so it was a total surprise! It’s only really beginning to sink in now, but it’s an amazing feeling and I just feel honoured to win the award,” said Faiq Arif.
MARKETING CAMPAIGN OF THE YEAR
Winner: Viridian Nutrition – www.findahealthstore.co.uk
Finalist: Juiceman for the Juiceman Company
Finalist: Pet Revolution for WILDWASH
Finalist: Wren Laboratories for Optibac Probiotics for women
“This winning campaign was designed to drive more shoppers into specialist health stores, as their continued success is intrinsic to Viridian’s success,” says Steve Hasler, marketing director, Viridian Nutrition.
BEST INDEPENDENT RETAILER
Presented by: Tim Westwell & Sebastian Pole, co-founders, Pukka Herbs
Winner: Amaranth, Stockport
Finalist : Wild Oats, Bristol
Finalist : Natures Corner, Newbury
“Amaranth are delighted to win the award for Best Independent Retailer. It has been a very busy but enjoyable year for Amaranth, which included our rebrand, exciting new products and involvement in many community events. The award is a great honour and we are overjoyed to have our hard work recognized. This is a credit to the Amaranth shop and therapist team and a huge thanks goes to our loyal customers and suppliers,” says Joanne Hill.
BEST NEW ORGANIC FOOD PRODUCT
Presented by: Finn Cottle, trade development, Soil Association Certification
Winner: InSpiral Visionary Products, Kale-os – kale crisps
Finalist: Lovechock, Lovechock Rocks Almond/Cinnamon
Finalist: Planet Organic, Raw Chocolate Covered Goldenberries
“This award is one of the greatest accolades in the industry and will act as an endorsement for years to come. It serves as recognition of all the dedication of our entire team, from recipe development right through to planning, production, design, sales and PR. It really means a lot to us, as there are so many deserving products for this award, all making a profound contribution to the often misled world of convenience food, in a way that is in harmony with nature and good health,” says Bella Willink, co-founder/creative director, inSpiral Visionary Products.
BEST NEW ORGANIC PRODUCT
Presented by: Emma Reinhold, trade relations manager for health & beauty, Soil Association Certification
Winner: Viridian Nutrition, 100% Organic Liquid Iron
Finalist: Soley Organics ehf, GRÆÐIR healing cream
Finalist: Natures Aid Ltd, Organic Evening Primrose Oil
“Certified organic products make up 40% of the Viridian Nutrition 190+ range, so an organic Liquid Iron supplement was a natural evolution. Organic Liquid Iron offers a great-tasting, all-plant based, 100% organic product, exclusive for the specialist health store – with the added bonus of our full 50% profit margin. Thank you to all those stores who voted for us, we are very grateful as this award will enhance our marketing programme for this product,” says Cheryl Thallon, managing director, Viridian Nutrition.
NATURAL PRODUCTS OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Winners: Tim Westwell & Sebastian Pole, co-founders, Pukka Herbs
Natural Products News editor Jim Manson described how the joint winners of this year’s Outstanding Achievement Award – Tim Westwell and Sebastian Pole – started their business from a spare bedroom, after contacting each other through a small ad in a Bristol newspaper. He said: “Their company, Pukka Herbs, has grown to become one of the best known names in the health food trade, and an organic ambassador brand around world. And while it has been a remarkable commercial success story, the company – and its founders – still inspire the affection of its original supporters, the independent health food retailers.”
Natural & Organic Products Europe, launched in 1997, is the UK’s biggest trade show for the natural products, health food and organic sectors. Its 2015 edition, which closed yesterday, has been hailed as its most successful show ever. Total attendance figures are due to be released by the organiser Diversified Communications UK later this week.
The next edition of Natural & Organic Products Europe will take place on 17-18 April 2016 at ExCeL London. For more information, please visit www.naturalproducts.co.uk.
Top picture: Pukka Herbs co-founders Sebastian Pole and Tim Westwell with Hardeep Singh Kohli and NPN editor Jim Manson
