Honeydrops up for international award

A dried drop of pure P.E.I.-produced honey that can be used to sweeten your tea or popped in your mouth like candy is vying for one of the world's top food prizes this weekend.

The Honibe Honeydrop from Island Abbey Foods has already won the top prize for new sweet grocery products at the SIAL D'Or in Paris — the world's biggest food trade show — and is now competing against eight products in other categories to win the grand prize.

Island Abbey president John Rowe told CBC News that a past Canadian winner of the SIAL D'Or at Yves Veggie Cuisine called it the Oscars of the food world.

To reach this level at the SIAL D'Or competition, Honeydrops competed against 270 products from 30 countries. The award means more than prestige. A quarter of a million people usually attend the five-day SIAL D'Or. George Condon, a consulting editor with Canadian Grocer, said the show is an important launching pad into the European market.

Condon believes Island Abbey Foods has a good chance at the top prize.

"The judges, their jaws dropped when I pulled out this little honey drop, put it on my thumb and put it in my mouth," he said.

"They couldn't believe that you could hold honey in your hand."

In the 40-plus years of these awards, Condon said Canada has taken home the most SIAL D'Ors, but this is the first time a P.E.I. product has ever been in this race.

The awards will be announced Sunday night.