Innovators Awarded for Sports and Performance Nutrition Breakthroughs

28 Jun 2016 --- Pizza, Do-It-Yourself Energy Bars and Pea Protein were the winners of Bridge2Food’s 1st Sports & Performance Nutrition Awards showcasing innovation, design, natural ingredients, protein and the increasing trend to adapt and target products to mainstream consumers.

Balls Bars and Bites from Food Creation Nation was awarded Winner in Best New Category Development. Proclaimed as a ‘DIY protein bar revolution’, it is a range of no bake protein bar mixes which were described as ‘awesome’ by judge Colinda Hoegee, MD, Holland & Barrett, Benelux. The judges were impressed that the product allowed consumers the flexibility to experiment with flavors and customize to personal taste. They saw it as a true category innovation that brought some fun to the sports nutrition market.

FITSHE was given a special Marketing Excellence award for its FITSHE After Workout Shake. Designed by women for women, the product was praised by judge Claire Nuttall, Founder of the Brand incubator for its natural formulation, attractive design, packaging and beautifully targeted marketing campaign.

Muscle Food’s Meat Feast Protein Pizza was the winner of the Best New Product category and Judge Robert Walker, head of Gymgrossisten was particularly impressed with the brand’s success in opening up opportunities in a very competitive consumer category. The judges liked the innovative “gluten free” claim and found it tasted as good as any frozen pizza on the market.

Manuka Sports Bee-Fit from Family Foods was Highly Commended for Technical Excellence. Colinda Hoegee admired the natural formulation and the tangible benefits the product offered customers. She felt it strongly reflected the future trend in consumers demand for more natural ingredients and products. 

Roquette was awarded the winner of Most Novel Ingredient category for its NUTRALYS S85Plus – a highly functional pea protein isolate for high protein sports drinks. Judge Asker Jeukendrup, director of mysportscience applauded the functional and sensory as well as the sustainability and nutritional benefits plus the comprehensive research that had supported the development. 

Colinda Hoegee, MD of Holland & Barrett, Benelux said, “The winners truly showcase the innovation that is so exciting in the sports nutrition industry. It is encouraging to see so many of the finalists and winners using natural ingredients and bringing some fun into sports nutrition.” 

Gerard Klein Essink of Bridge2Food said “These are exciting times for the sports nutrition industry with innovation at its heart, and the ongoing trend towards targeting active mainstream consumers an increasingly important theme. We launched these Awards to recognize and showcase the entrepreneurs and companies that are leading the way and the winners suggest that the future is very bright for our industry.” 

The expert panel of judges was:
•    Asker Jeukendrup - director, Mysportscience
•    Colinda Hoegee - MD, Holland & Barrett Benelux
•    Robert Walker - Head of Gymrossisten
•    Pieter- Paul Verheggen - CEO of Motivaction
•    Claire Nuttall - Founder of The Brand Incubator
•    Gerard Klein Essink - Director of Bridge2Food.

The winners were announced at the 6th Sports & Performance Nutrition 2016  on 15th June in Amsterdam, Holland. This specialist summit from 14th - 16th June brings together leading professionals from around the world to share new innovations, insights and developments in the sports nutrition industry.

Bridge2Food has also announced the launch of its inaugural Protein Awards. The global interest in high protein foods and plant proteins with nutritional benefits is high. The awards will celebrate the achievements of leading players who drive excellence within the food and proteins industries.

The 4 award categories are:
- Best New Category Development: awarded to a company that has created a new category within the food and protein sector
- Best New Protein Food: awarded to a truly innovative product that has introduced a new concept, offered real value and had a significant market impact. 
- Most Disruptive Technology: awarded to a truly disruptive and innovative technology that has changed the market for a better food world.
- Most Novel Ingredient: celebrates new protein ingredients that are truly innovative and offered measurable benefits for manufacturers and consumers. 

The closing date for entries is 31 August, 2016, when an expert panel of judges will select a shortlist of finalists.