Just Food Excellence Awards 2023: winners announced

Centric Software®
Centric Software® is a Product Lifecycle Management solutions company and a Category Award Winner for Business Expansion, Innovation and Product Launches in the 2023 Just Food Excellence Awards

Arla Foods
Arla Foods is a dairy food manufacturer recognized for Innovation and Product Launches in the 2023 Just Food Excellence Awards

General Mills
General Mills is a US consumer food manufacturer recognized for Investments in the 2023 Just Food Excellence Awards.

PepsiCo
PepsiCo is a US-based snack manufacturer and is recognized in the Investments and Research and Development categories in the 2023 Just Food Excellence Awards

Tyson Foods
Tyson Foods is a US meat products producer and recognized in the Investments category in the 2023 Just Food Excellence Awards

The research for the 2023 Just Food Excellence Awards has highlighted several themes that all coalesce around the same point, the desire to do things differently.

During the research we have seen companies bring change to all elements of food production, from new agricultural techniques, through product development, to marketing.

There is also an increased focus being put on environmental issues, with companies looking to reduce their carbon footprint in everything from the way basic ingredients are grown, to transport and logistics, production methods, and packaging.

When it comes to the genesis of food production, agriculture, we have seen two themes emerging: sustainable agriculture and vertical farming.

While companies are still investing time and money into methods to reduce the impact of their farming on the environment, using organic crops and less damaging pesticides, the real revolution is coming in so-called regenerative agriculture.

This consists of techniques that not only reduce damage, but aim to improve the land through the return of nutrients.

During the research period several large companies have invested, directly or through funds, in the development of these techniques, which include not only how the crops are being grown, but in some cases the types of crops being grown through the development of new plant variants.

Vertical farming is the other hot topic in agriculture, and while not new, the level of interest continues to grow. The sector is not without its issues, with several high-profile companies running into difficulties, however financial investment is still on the up, with the sector’s potential outweighing the concerns over growing pains.

When it comes to product development, the area with the most concentrated innovation is the market for dairy, meat and seafood alternatives, with companies finding new ways to replicate textures and other attributes.

As a market there has been some slowdown in certain areas, and growth is not at the pace of previous years. However, with more people becoming aware of the health and environmental impacts of consuming animal products, there is still plenty of interest in developing alternatives that can match up not only in taste but also in their delivery of protein and vitamins.

Health foods and probiotics are another are of interest for food companies. Whether it be supplements, or traditional foods with additives that claim health benefits, it is a market of increasing interest and growth.

On a similar theme it has also been another year of impressive of innovations when it comes to biotechnology innovations for ingredients and additives.

During the research period we have some companies develop new alternatives to existing ingredients, which have the potential to revolutionize food production. Typically, this is through their replacement of traditional ingredients that have become a cause for concern for consumers, whether that be in their origin, environmental impact or make up.

We hope our Excellence Awards Report not only provides recognition to those companies at the cutting edge of the industry but also provides a useful snapshot of the industry’s current state.

Congratulations to all our winners.