This year the winners of the Finnish Food of the Year - Star Product of 2003 included spelt, cheese, Baltic herring, bun dough, green tea and turkey. The winning products represent the innovative spirit of the Finnish food and drink industries at their very best.

This year a record 150 products took part in the competition, which is arranged annually by the Finnish Food and Drink Industries Federation. The large number of participants is, according to the organizer, an indication of the activeness and inventiveness of the Finnish food and drinks industries in developing new products.
Statistics also point to the same thing. The investment in research and development by the Finnish food and drinks industries in proportion to the added value is the highest in Europe: more than 60 million euros a year and three per cent of the added value.

Diverse and convenient

The retail trade section was won by the spelt products of Birkkala Farm: flour, flakes and rusks. Valio's Polar 5% cheese was given the award for being the first real low-fat Finnish cheese that has some taste to it. Baltic herring is always an interesting Finnish raw ingredient, and that includes the victorious Ahti Baltic Herring from Turun Kala.

Mylly's Paras Pulla Taikina (Best Bun Dough), is half-ready for the consumer, which it is hoped will increase domestic baking. Sinebrychoff's Hyvää Päivää (Good Day) green tea combines green tea, Finnish organic herbs and new areas in a health-promoting beverage. In the catering division the award went to HK Ruokatalo's Kariniemen Kalkkuna (Turkey) products. Ingman Foods' ice cream ball for caterers received recognition.

The jury appreciated the diverse uses and convenience of the winning products, their taste and also their appropriate prices. Another condition for the choices was the high level of innovation and the degree of Finnish input. Close attention was also paid to the packaging and the ease with which the instructions on it can be used.

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Star products for 2003 were the ready-to-use bun dough, green tea, low-fat cheese, Baltic herring and spelt.