Forward-Thinking Food Firms Scoop Top Honours at Gulfood Innovation Awards

World’s largest food exhibition recognises creative industry leaders in grand ceremony

Dubai, UAE, 28 February 2017: Gulfood 2017, the 22nd edition of the world’s largest annual food industry exhibition, has crowned its Innovation Awards winners at a glittering ceremony held at the Conrad Hotel.

The Innovation Awards, sponsored by Al Dahra, recognise and honour new and improved innovations and technologies being adopted by the 5,000 local, regional and international exhibitors participating at the 1,000,000-square foot exhibition running at Dubai World Trade Centre until Thursday 2 March.

Featuring a who’s who of the global industry, one of those rewarded was Green Isle Foods from Ireland, which was crowned as Best Halal Food Company winner.

“We are delighted to receive this prestigious award for our Goodfellas halal frozen pizza. It is a great testament to the hard work and commitment of our team to developing a pizza range which appeals to consumers in the MENA region. The addition of our new doner kebab variant is another example of the innovative new product development and we look forward to continued success and growth in the frozen pizza category.” said Suzanne Conroy, Export Lead at Green Isle Foods.

Greenyards Frozen, from Belgium, showed it was hot on consumer trends, picking up the award for Best Frozen or Chilled Food. Frankie Vandermeiren, Commercial Director Retail and Food Service, Greenyards Frozen Belgium NV said: “Our winning product is our convenience line which is premium, higher quality and based on market demand as customers prefer ready to use convenience products without conservatives and frozen into mini portions. It’s the ideal solution to avoid food waste.”

UAE companies also got in on the action on awards night, with Global Food Industries LLC ( AL Batha Group ) walking off with two awards for Best Fruit and Vegetable Innovation and Best Meat and Poultry Innovation.

Jacek Plewa, General Manager of Global Food Industries LLC (Al Batha Group), said: “Being a UAE-based brand, winning not one but two Gulfood Innovation Award brings industry-wide recognition, which resonates far beyond the borders of our operations.”

Other winners included New Zealand dairy co-operative Fonterra, which took home the accolade for 'Best Trade Stand between 40 -90 square metres'. The stand is shared by Fonterra's business-to-business brands NZMP and Anchor Food Professionals.

"Our split-stand was designed to demonstrate our high quality dairy products and pure New Zealand origins, and we are honoured that our stand was recognised. Gulfood 2017 is a great opportunity for us to connect with key regional customers and showcase the industry-leading bulk ingredients and foodservice solutions we can offer the Middle East food industry, " said the spokesperson of Fonterra Co-Operative Group.

The full list of Gulfood Innovation Awards winners included: