Retailers vote for their favourite products!

Independent health stores nationwide have been busy nominating and judging their favourite products of the year. The winners were announced as part of the Vitality Expo weekend of September 8-9 in Dublin.

The Irish Association of Health Stores created the awards in order to recognise products that are core to the health food trade. It’s a natural extension of the Health Stores Ireland Select project which sets important criteria for core health food sector product qualification. The awards use a completely independent nomination system with all the shortlisting and final voting carried out by retailers.

Nominees were shortlisted from the full list of products that had been nominated by retailers in Rude Health magazine’s Tried and Tested page over a period of 12 months. These were shortlisted to meet the specific criteria of Health Stores Ireland Select such as sustainability, environmental, training and product support.

For consumers these awards show what independent health food store owners and managers in Ireland consider to be the top products in three categories – food, supplements and bodycare. It recognises key brands who actively engage with store owners and staff and put a support mechanism behind their products to ensure that they are delivered to consumers with knowledge and confidence. It also means that these products have been tried and tested by store owners and staff.

The shortlisting panel consisted of Health Stores Ireland board members. The final voting was open to all Health Stores Ireland members and was carried out with a secret vote.

The winners were announced after the first day of Vitality Expo and the awards were presented by a panel of retailer representatives and Rude Health magazine editor Lucy Taylor.

We’re delighted to reveal the winners and finalists in each category...

Best Food & Drink Product Award

Winner: Bragg Apple Cider Vinegar

Finalists:
• El Greco Greek Olive Oil
• True Natural Goodness Turmeric Powder
• Koyu Matcha Tea
• Dr Bronner’s Coconut Oil

Best Nutritional Supplement Product Award

Winner: A. Vogel Echinaforce Throat Spray

Finalists:
• Macánta L-Theanine & L-Ornithine Complex
• Viridian Organic Black Seed Oil
• Nature’s Plus Source of Life Gold
• Irish Botanica Botanical Syrup

Best Natural Body Care Product Award

Winner: Weleda Skin Food

Finalists:
• Atlantic Aromatics Frankincense Relaxation Blend
• Urtekram Rose Deodorant
• Australian Bush Flower Essences Calm & Clear Moisturiser
• Dr Maher’s Liberty Corrective Serum

Read more news stories from Rude Health Magazine here