Parmalat has emerged as one of the top performers at the 2015 Qualité Awards, claiming three prestigious Qualité awards, while no less than fifteen of its products were named as SA Champions in various classes.

The Qualité mark is awarded to products of excellence and Parmalat’s awards are for Parmalat’s Salmon Flavoured Low Fat Cream Cheese, Simonsberg Low Fat Smoked Salmon Cream Cheese and the Matured (18 months old) White Cheddar Parmalat produces for Woolworths.

The products named as SA Champions are winners in each of the 95 classes in the various categories that include cheese, butter, yoghurt, ice cream and flavoured milk.

Parmalat claimed first prizes for the following products: Parmalat Round Gouda
 Simonsberg Matured Gouda
 Parmalat Garlic andamp; Parsley Butter
 Parmalat Processed Cheddar Spread
 Simonsberg Mozzarella portions
 Simonsberg Feta with Black Pepper
 Parmalat Salmon Flavoured Low Fat Cream Cheese
 Simonsberg Medium Fat Smoked Ham Cream Cheese
 Royalty Tin Roof Dairy Ice Cream
 Royalty Vanilla Dairy Ice Cream

As well as all the following products produced for Woolworths:
 Unsalted butter
 plain feta
 White cheddar (12 months)
 Matured white cheddar (18 months)
 Matured white cheddar (12 months).

Parmalat dominated in the category for cream cheese with condiments with the Parmalat Salmon Flavoured Low Fat Cream Cheese claiming first place and Simonsberg Low Fat Smoked Salmon Cream Cheese placed second.

Qualité status is usually only awarded to the winner of a specific class, but in this case the judges decided that both the first and second place products would be given a Qualité award of excellence.

André Mahoney, Parmalat SA Marketing Executive, says the various awards have underlined the company’s commitment to quality.

“The competition is tougher each year with various new players emerging. It’s great to see the greater dairy industry growing and we are proud to consistently be one of the top performers.

“This is proof that our team continues to invest mammoth effort and expertise in our range of products.

“Quality remains the main pillar of our brand promise to consumers.”

A record number of 879 entries from 80 producers competed for honours in this year’s SA Dairy Championship, the 181st time the dairy industry awards were presented; 61 judges, consisting of sensory evaluators, manufacturers, chefs and food writers judged the entries earlier this year.

The cheese category was the largest by far, taking up more than half of the entries for this year’s awards.

The event was organised by Agri-Expo and Johan Ehlers, Chief Executive Officer of Agri-Expo, says the record number of entries is a clear indication of the high level of confidence dairy producers have in the championships.

“We were particularly impressed with the 17% increase in producer participation, as it shows a growing need to benchmark their products at a national standard.”