Consumers Pick 2011 Products of the Year

Food and beverages garnered top honors Feb. 8 during the 2011 Product of the Year USA awards ceremony that recognizes innovation in consumer-packaged goods.

Hosted in 28 countries, Product of the Year is the world's largest consumer-voted program that recognizes innovation in consumer-packaged goods. Finalists for Product of the Year were judged on four key elements—appeal of innovation, usage, satisfaction and purchase intent. This marks the third year that Product of the Year was conducted in the United States, with 60,000 American shoppers voting on products in a survey conducted by custom research agency TNS. According to the 2011 Product of the Year U.S. Shoppers Survey, 68 percent of shoppers say a consumer voted award means more for a new product than an expert’s opinion.

The following products were recognized for innovation in consumer-packaged goods:

* Candy & Snacks—M&M'S® Pretzel Chocolate Candies (Mars Chocolate North America)
* Frozen Food—Lean Cuisine® Market Creations (Nestlé USA)
* Specialty Foods—BUITONI® Riserva Frozen Complete Meals for Two (Nestlé USA)
* Cooking Spices—Recipe Inspirations (McCormick & Company Inc.)
* Beverage—Lipton Brisk (Pepsi-Lipton Partnership)
* Breakfast—Jimmy Dean® Hearty Sausage Crumbles (Sara Lee)
* Cooking—Olivari Mediterranean Olive Oil (Sovena USA)

"Consumer packaged goods continue to demonstrate a need for the market to create products that enhance both consumer confidence and product loyalty," said Colleen Kelly, managing director of Product of the Year. "Product of the Year is pleased to offer consumers the ability to easily sift through and distinguish those brands that stand apart in the consumer packaged goods sector."