The New Zealand Juice and Beverage Awards were created to promote and publicise the high quality of non-alcoholic recreational beverages produced by members of the New Zealand Beverage Council. The awards were held in association with the annual New Zealand Beverage Council Conference in Wairakei recently. The objectives of the awards include the following:
· To promote innovation within the industry
· To award manufacturing excellence
· To promote awareness of the industry and its quality standards.
2015 NZBC New Zealand Juice & Beverage Awards
The NZBC annual Juice and Beverage Awards were judged at the FoodBowl Innovation Centre. A total of 103 entries were received from six companies. The entries were across eight product categories and five special awards. Two new special awards were introduced this year – the Corporate Social Responsibility Award for products addressing NZer’s energy intake; and the Export Innovation Award for products which had achieved significant export success. The Supreme Award for Small manufacturers was a repeat of last year with Simply Squeezed’s Feijoa Frenzy Smoothie taking out the top award. The Supreme Award for the Large manufacturer went to Coca Cola Oceania with their Schweppes Ginger Beer Classic. Judges described this product as having great ginger flavour and a real fun alcohol alternative. The 2015 winners are:
| Category | Sponsor | Product | Company | |
| 1 Best Short Shelf Life Chilled Fruit Juice | NZ Sugar Co Ltd | Arano 100% Orange Juice | Simply Squeezed Ltd | |
| 2 Best Long Life Fruit Juice | NZ Sugar Co Ltd | Allganics Orange Mango | Simply Squeezed Ltd | |
| 3 Best Milk Based Beverage | Label Makers | Wave Iced Coffee | Frucor Beverages Ltd | |
| 4 Best Lifestyle Beverage | Label Makers | Feijoa Frenzy Smoothie | Simply Squeezed Ltd | |
| 5 Best Tea Based Beverage | Ecolab | Allganics Peach | Simply Squeezed Ltd | |
| 6 Best Low Calorie Beverage | Directus International | Baker Halls Lemon and Barley | Coca-Cola Amatil NZ Ltd | |
| 7 Best Carbonated Beverage | O-I New Zealand | Schweppes Ginger Beer Classic | Coca-Cola Oceania Ltd | |
| 8 Best Flavoured Water Beverage | O-I New Zealand | Mizone Lime | Frucor Beverages Ltd | |
| 9 Consumer Choice Award | Adhesif Labels | Wave Chocolate Milk | Frucor Beverages Ltd | |
| 10 Best New to Market Beverage | Adhesif Labels | Schweppes Ginger Beer Classic | Coca-Cola Oceania Ltd | |
| 11 Export Innovation Award | Orora Beverage Cans | Maximus | Frucor Beverages Ltd | |
| 12 Corporate Social Responsibility Award | Orora Beverage Cans | NZ Obesity | Coca-Cola Oceania Ltd | |
| 13 SUPREME AWARD – (Small Producer) | Sensient Technologies | Smoothie Feijoa Frenzy | Simply Squeezed Ltd | |
| 14 SUPREME AWARD – (Large Producer) | Sensient Technologies | Schweppes Ginger Beer Classic | Coca-Cola Oceania Ltd | |
