Sustainability shines at Beverage Innovation Awards

FoodProductionDaily.com caught up with the hosts of the 2009 Beverage Innovation Awards at Drinktec this week to pick out the highlights and uncover the trends behind the winning entries.

Attracting 340 entries from 40 countries, the awards took in all aspects of the beverage industry covering 24 categories from finished products to closures, and labels.

The awards dinner was hosted by FoodBev editorial director Bill Bruce, who talked through the night's highlights including a drink called Preshafruit from Australia, which won 'best overall concept' for marrying good flavour with inventive packaging.

Bruce also talked about the changing direction of innovation and the trends that lie behind the contendors this year. He picked out sustainability as one of the innovation priorities and defended the industry from the suggestion that developments like lightweighting are just cost cutting innovations dressed up in green clothes.