Seven companies are celebrating after being handed New Product Awards at United Fresh 2011, the innovation awards that are voted for by attendees at the United Fresh Produce Association's annual convention and exposition in New Orleans.

A record 34 fresh fruit and vegetable products competed in the categories of Best New Packaging Product, Best New Food Safety Solution, Best New Processing Equipment, Best New Packing and Packaging Equipment, and Best Vegetable Product.

The award winners were:

Best New Packaging: MIXIM Classic 5x5 60z. Bushberry Packaging System (Sambrailo Packaging)
Best New Food Safety Solution: Smartwash (New Leaf Food Safety Solutions)
Best New Processing Equipment: Primus Gemini berry sorter (Best Sorting)
Best New Fruit Product: Sun Drops Grape Tomatoes (Mucci Farms) and Naturipe Berry Quick Blueberry Snacks (Naturipe Farms)
Best New Packing/Packaging Equipment: Volmpack Ultrek 320 Vertical-Form-Fill-Seal Bagger (Volm Companies)
Best New Vegetable Product: Pure Flavour Grill Ready

"These seven innovations represent thousands of man-hours of hard work, foresight, dedication, risk and reward," said United Fresh vice-president of convention and industry relations John Toner. "The unveiling of new products is a vital part of the United show, and we're proud to honour these winners and congratulate all 34 finalists in this year's competition."