The Private Label Manufacturers Association (PLMA) is a non-profit trade association that promotes private labels.

Founded in 1979 it represents more than 4,500 member companies around the globe, with membership ranging from multinational corporations to smaller, family-owned companies. Their products include food, beverages, snacks, health and beauty, household and kitchen, DIY, and personal and leisure products.

To honour retailers that exemplify excellence and innovation in new product development, PLMA created the annual International Salute to Excellence Awards.

More than 550 products from 72 retailers and 23 countries, covering 79 categories, were considered by the PLMA's international panel of judges - which included former retailers, chefs, marketing professionals, nutritionists, and journalists. Products were judged on product concept, taste and appearance, packaging and presentation, and value for money.

Woolworths took home four awards in this year's competition. The award-winning products in their respective categories were:

• Baby & Kids Food category: Woolies babes Textured Snow Pea, Sweet Potato and Spinach from 6 Months - for taste, packaging presentation and convenience in terms of product concept.
• Herbs & Spices: Woolworths Shisanyama Seasoning - for its taste, interesting flavour combination, packaging presentation and value for money.
• New Flavour Combination: Carb Clever™ Beetroot and Mixed Berry Flavoured Granola - for its taste, innovation, and interesting flavour combination.
• Mocktail & Spirits category: Woolworths Non-Alcoholic Strawberry Daiquiri Sparkling Drink - for taste and fresh concept.

These products were displayed at the annual PLMA trade show held in Amsterdam at the end of May this year. The show focussed on the largest concentration of private label professionals in the industry.