SIAL d’Or 2012 Competition Kicks Off in Montreal

MONTREAL — The Salon International de l’Alimentation Canada, better known as SIAL Canada, will be home to the preliminary judging for this year’s SIAL d’Or competition when the international food-product show takes place here next month.

The show, alternating each year between Toronto and Montreal, is projecting growth of between 15% and 20%, with up to 650 exhibitors from 40 different countries.

“SIAL Canada is the only show in North America that benefits from such an international pool, and this is thanks to the SIAL Group’s unique, truly global network,” said Xavier Poncin, managing director, SIAL Canada.

Among the features at the conference is Olive d’Or, an international extra-virgin olive oil competition involving 150 producers from 15 countries. A similar competition for coffee includes 30 producers from 10 countries.

During the show, the first stage of the SIAL d’Or competition featuring innovative new food and beverage products from around the world will take place. Some 30 food journalists from around the world — including SN, representing the U.S. — will vote on new products that were rolled out in 2011 across several different categories.

The nominated products from the U.S. are:

• Land O’Lakes Cinnamon Sugar Butter Spread (chilled dairy category).

• Temptations by Jell-O low-calorie desserts (chilled non-dairy).

• Orville Redenbacher Pop-Up Bowl Microwave Popcorn (savory grocery).

• Pepperidge Farm Goldfish Sandwich Bread (sweet grocery).

• Peas of Pie frozen pizzas (savory frozens).

• Dole Fruit Smoothie Shakers (sweet frozens).

• SOL sunflower nondairy beverage (non-alcoholic beverages).

• Coors Light Two-Stage Cold Activation bottles and cans (alcoholic beverages).

The product that gets the most votes in each category will compete for the SIAL d’Or grand prize, to be announced at the SIAL conference in Paris in October. In addition, one product from each country will be given a SIAL d’Or country prize.