Al Ain Diary won the SIAL Innovation award for its Camelait premium Camel Ice Cream in Abu Dhabi recently.

The healthy alternative to regular ice cream was recognised as a ground breaking product reflecting global trends, said a statement.

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.”

A total of 142 food and beverage products were entered, 42 were shortlisted, out of which ten finalists were selected and five of those products were produced in the UAE, said the statement.

Speaking on behalf of a panel of judges which consisted of independent international food professionals, Xavier Terlet, chief executive officer of global food industry consultants, XTC World Innovation, said: “The judges were extremely impressed by the quality of all of the 142 entries we received this year at SIAL Middle East. Social media is accelerating global consumer trends, so it’s encouraging to see a wealth of new and innovative products coming to market in response to that growing demand.

“Throughout the show health and convenience have been the prevalent trends this year, with many new products focusing on natural ingredients while still meeting the approval of evermore discerning consumers. Al Ain Dairy’s low fat Camelait Camel Ice Cream, is an outstanding product, it touches all trending criteria and thoroughly deserves this accolade.”

The awards were based on stringent criteria and covered an array of food categories 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.

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 UAE. 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.” - TradeArabia News Service