Product of the Year Tasting Competition: Evaluation System and Winners' Secrets

Experts evaluate each product on several parameters. To receive an award, a product must meet high standards. What are they evaluating?

• Organoleptic indicators
  Conformity of food products to the requirements of the technical regulations of the Customs Union for food products or (if absent) regulatory and technical documentation.
• Physicochemical indicators
  Conformity of food products to the requirements of the technical regulations of the Customs Union for food products or (if absent) regulatory and technical documentation.
• Microbiological indicators
  Conformity of products to the requirements of the technical regulations of the Customs Union for food products or (if absent) regulatory and technical documentation.
• Packaging:
  Complies with the requirements of the Customs Union Technical Regulation "On Packaging Safety." Packaging must preserve the product and be convenient and functional.
• Labeling
  Conformity of labeling to the requirements of the technical regulations of the Customs Union "Food products in terms of their labeling".
• Additionally, experts evaluate:
  use of innovative technologies
  revived ancient recipes
  organic technologies
  technologies that improve product performance
• What rewards can you get?
  The Grand Prix is ​​the highest award of the competition.
  Gold medal
  Silver medal
  Bronze medal

Winners receive a diploma, an award, the right to place the "Product of the Year" medal on product packaging, and confirmation of the high quality of their products.

What is the secret of the winners of the Product of the Year competition?

Irina Pankratova, brand manager at the Uralskie Pelmeni factory (the 2025 winner), shared one of them in an interview : "I believe that the marketing department, of which I am a representative, needs to understand trends and understand what customers need. Accordingly, we researched the market and decided that these were the products we needed to submit to the competition. And we received gold medals, thus confirming our opinion . "
The company meticulously studies the market and consumer trends to offer exactly what customers want. Uralskie Pelmeni submitted three types of pelmeni and a ready-to-eat frozen product—lazy cabbage rolls—to the competition. And each one earned a gold medal.

Participating in the Product of the Year competition is an opportunity to receive independent expert evaluation, recognition from professionals, the right to place a winner's medal on your packaging, and confirmation of the high quality of your product!

Applications for Product of the Year 2026 are open until September 15.

Submit an application