Better Homes and Gardens andBrandSpark International announced the winners of the 2012 Better Homes and Gardens Best New Product Awards.


Better Homes and Gardens andBrandSpark International announced the winners of the 2012 Better Homes and Gardens Best New Product Awards (BNPAs).

"Now in its fourth year in the U.S. and ninth year in Canada, the Best New Product Awards provide American shoppers with one of the most credible endorsements in America to help them buy better - 100 percent consumer voted and endorsed by one of the most trusted brands in America, Better Homes and Gardens," said Robert Levy, BrandSpark president and CEO. "The Better Homes and Gardens Best New Product Awards are like 'The People's Choice Awards' for consumer products. The 2012 edition involved more than 66,000 consumers across the survey."

Officials said winning products were chosen directly by thousands of consumers who participated in an extensive nationwide survey, the American Shopper Study, conducted by independent marketing research firm BrandSpark International in partnership withBetter Homes and Gardensmagazine.

"It's a major accomplishment for a product to win a Better Homes and Gardens Best New Product Award. The 2012 survey had 225 products representing 60 consumer packaged goods companies in 67 categories," said James Carr, president,Better Homes and Gardens.

Carr saidBetter Homes and Gardenswill showcase the winners and shopper insights within its print, broadcast and digital properties.

The best overall Food & Beverage Category winner wasSargento Natural Blends Cheddar-Mozzarella Cheese Snacks.

Other key refrigerated and frozen honorees (by category) were:

Cheese --  Sargento Natural Blends Cheddar-Mozzarella Cheese Snacks(1)

Breakfast -- Bellatoria Sunday Brunch Pizza
  
Dairy  --  Egg-land's Best eggs
       
Deli Meat--  Ball Park Deli Style Beef Franks

Dessert  -- Temptations by JELL-O

Frozen Food-- Lean Cuisine Spring Rolls
   
Orange Juice --  Minute Maid Pure Squeezed No Pulp 100 percent Orange Juice
 
Pizza-- Digiorno Cheese Stuffed Crust Pizza
      
Ready Made Meal --  Stouffer's Sautes for Two Dinners
       
In addition to the winning products, officials said BrandSpark International/ Better Homes and Gardens American Shopper Study uncovered what is on the minds of American shoppers from coast to coast. Consumer insights included news about ...

FOOD and HEALTH:

Five in 10 Americans consider themselves to be overweight. The same proportion is trying to reduce carbs in their diet, while seven in 10 are trying to reduce the amount of fat they consume.

While 86 percent continue to believe there is a lot they can do with food and nutrition to prevent illness, 65 percent of Americans say they are trying to reduce the risk of major health issues with their food choices (up from 62 percent a year ago).

Seven in 10 adults are increasingly concerned about chemicals in their food, but only three in 10 are willing to pay more for organics. Many are looking for "natural" products, with six in 10 trying to buy products that are "as natural as possible."

PRIVATE LABEL / STORE BRANDS VS. BRAND NAMES:

More than nine in 10 shoppers have purchased private label products in the past year.

Private label strength has grown the most in over-the-counter health: seven in 10 shoppers have purchased private label health products, up from just under six in 10 in the past year, making it the strongest category for private label brands outside of food.

Beverage brands are strong: while nine in 10 shoppers have purchased private label food products, less than half of shoppers recall purchasing private label beverages.

63 percent believe that the same manufacturers as brand name products often make private label products, but shoppers still see value in the most trusted brands and 70 percent prefer to find brand name products on sale than to purchase private label.

ENVIRONMENT

While only four in 10 shoppers are willing to pay more for environmentally friendly products, more than eight in 10 appreciate when the manufacturer bears the burden of producing environmentally friendly packaging.