The Finnish Food Product of the Year is tasty, beautiful, versatile and convenient. Pakkasmarja Oy's berry sosées sold under the name Marja Puree! (Berry Sosée!) taste of strawberry, blackcurrant, lingonberry or buckthorn.

The choice of Finnish Food Product of the Year is part of the Finnish Food and Drink Industries' Federation's wider Star Product of the Year 2004 competition. The aim of the competition is to spur Finnish companies in the food and drinks industry into product development and to make new domestic products and innovations well known. The jury's general choice criteria include products' novelty and innovation value, the price/quality ratio, the marketing of the products and the likelihood of success.

The jury described Pakkasmarja's berry sosées as domestic gourmet products and praised their pure berry taste, beautiful appearance, diverse usage and the convenient packaging.

This year 40 products or product series, i.e. a total of 76 individual products, took part in the competition, which was being held for the fourteenth time.

"The large number shows the food and drink industry's ability to respond to the changing needs of consumers. In recent years individuality has been stressed, the rhythm of living and sizes of households have changed, and the need for convenience food has increased. The significance of food in promoting health and bring enjoyment to life is increasingly important, says Seppo Heiskanen, the Director of the Finnish Food and Drinks Industries' Federation.

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Pakkasmarja Oy's Marja Puree! product series was chosen as the best dessert product in the Star Product of the Year 2004 competition and the Finnish Food Product of the Year.