A sparkling pickle water, freeze-fried fruit cubes, an orange and jalfrezi flavoured chocolate bar and crisps designed to mimic the taste of a chicken burger are just some of the pioneering products shortlisted at The Grocer New Product Awards 2026.
More than 200 innovations across 37 product categories have made the food & drink shortlist for this year’s awards. The shortlist for non-food and drink innovation will be revealed later this month.
Other on-trend innovations on the shortlist include a matcha flavoured kombucha, a pistachio oat drink and a protein-packed ‘cheese bar’.
Every food & drink product entered in the awards was subject to a rigorous judging process involving experts in food development, sustainability, design and retail.
Meanwhile, household and personal care innovations underwent a two-stage consumer research process. Entries were judged on packaging and functionality, on‑pack information, appearance and value for money, as well as functional, sensory and emotional reactions.
This year’s New Product Awards focuses solely on product launches, dropping awards for packaging. However, product packaging was included in the criteria assessed by judges.
The winners of the awards will be unveiled at a glamorous lunchtime ceremony on 16 October at The Hilton, Park Lane in London. The awards will be hosted by The Grocer editor-in-chief Adam Leyland and a celebrity guest.
Every finalist that has been shortlisted will receive either a gold, silver or bronze medal, recognising their commitment to outstanding innovation, creating excitement in supermarket aisles and meeting shoppers needs. Where two gold medals are awarded, there will be a further award of category champion.
Leyland said: “The variety and quality of innovation across food & drink is testament to the hard work and inventiveness of suppliers up and down the country. Our judges were blown away by the standard of entries, and can’t wait to celebrate with all those shortlisted this autumn.”
You can now secure your tickets to the New Product Awards 2026. Book your seat to join us at The Hilton on 16 October here.
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