Al Ain Dairy, a U.A.E.-based diary company, has won the SIAL Innovation Award for their healthy alternative ice cream, "Camelait Pemium Camel Ice Cream".
Organised by SIAL Middle East in conjunction with Etihad Airways, the award was presented to the Al Ain Dairy Company at a special ceremony in Abu Dhabi yesterday.
The healthy alternative to regular ice cream was recognised as a ground-breaking product reflecting global trends and it was a case of second-helpings for Al Ain Dairy as it won the award before at the augural ceremony in 2011 for its cardamom flavoured vitamin A and D enriched milk.
Kingston Fernandes, Head of Sales for Al Ain Dairy Company, said, "We are thrilled to receive the SIAL Innovation Award, it gives us great confidence and belief that this delicious, healthy and unique product will be a global success. SIAL Middle East has once again provided us with a fantastic platform to bring our products to an international audience." Out of the original 142 food and beverage products entered for the awards, 42 were shortlisted, out of which ten finalists were selected, five of which were produced in the U.A.E.. Acquacedri Natural Mineral Water, Helmig's Curcumin Effervescent, Constant Energy Shot and two products from the eventual winner, Al Ain Dairy.
The awards are based on stringent criteria and cover an array of food values including health, taste, ethics, convenience and appearance, as well as the level of innovation involved in developing the product, including the manufacturing process and ingredients.
This year, the SIAL Middle East exhibition featured winning products from other regional competitions held in China, Brazil, Canada, Paris and the Philippines.
Mohammed Jalal Al Rayssi, Director of Communication and Community Service Division at Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority (ADFCA) and Chairman of the SIAL Middle East organising committee, said, "The SIAL Innovation Award provides ongoing encouragement to all food companies in the U.A.E.. Not only to react to market trends or to anticipate them, but to try and create demand by producing innovative products that can appeal to what is fast-becoming a transient global audience." Held under strategic partnership with Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority, SIAL Middle East is part of the world's largest network of professional food events, which include SIAL Paris, SIAL China, SIAL Canada, and SIAL Brazil.
Source: WAM