Consumer Corner
PRODUCT OF THE YEAR USA UNVEILS 2023 AWARD WINNERS
40,000 American Shoppers Voted on Most Innovative Products of 2023
NEW YORK /PRNewswire/ — Product of the Year USA, the largest consumer-voted awards program centered around product innovation, announced today the winners of the 2023 Product of the Year Awards across 36 trending categories. Each of the Product of the Year winners are determined through a national study of 40,000 American shoppers in partnership with Kantar, a global leader in consumer research.
A globally established seal of approval, the Product of the Year emblem was developed over 30 years ago and has been a trusted CPG pillar in the U.S. for nearly 15 years. The early mission was simple: help consumers cut through the noise on their grocery shelves and highlight the best new products when it comes to points that matter, such as thoughtful design, quality and innovation. As the world evolves on a daily basis, consumers are continuously in search of products that are smarter, more efficient, and easier to use. The Product of the Year red seal is a distinctive mark that allows shoppers to easily identify the top trendsetting products on the market, voted on by 40,000 fellow consumers, while also serving as a valuable marketing tool for brands to build consumer awareness, especially among competitors within their respected spaces.
“Product of the Year is more valuable now than ever. The level of access consumers have to products today is unprecedented – far beyond retail aisles, they have DTC options, grocery delivery in the palm of their hands, and they can watch their favorite influencer review items they’re considering purchasing in real time,” notes Mike Nolan, Global CEO of Product of the Year Management. “Product of the Year is an established and increasingly relevant resource for CPG companies, helping their products stand out, and be understood and trusted by their customers. Entirely new 2023 categories of Product of the Year award winners further demonstrate the ever-evolving trends we are seeing in the U.S. market, and as a company we’re thrilled to be at the forefront of recognizing these products for top performing function, design, packaging, or ingredients.”
From food and beverage, personal care, household products, bedding and more, the 36 winners of the 2023 Product of the Year Award include:
- Auto Dish Care | Cascade Platinum Plus – Procter & Gamble
- Body Cleanser | Dial® Body Wash – Henkel
- Bread | ALDI-exclusive Specially Selected French Baguette – ALDI
- Breakfast | Quaker® Puffed Granola – PepsiCo
- Car Care | Rain-X Truck & SUV Wiper Blade – ITW Global Brands/Rain-X
- CBD | CBD Sleep Gummies – Sky Wellness
- Cheese | ALDI-exclusive Emporium Selection Feta Block Assortment – ALDI
- Children’s Health | Children’s ZYRTEC® Allergy Chewables – Johnson & Johnson Consumer Health
- Coffee Creamer | Lactose-Free Flavored Creamer in French Vanilla and Sweet Cream – Organic Valley
- Condiment | ALDI-exclusive Burman’s Dipping Sauces – ALDI
- Convenience Meals | Hot Pockets® Deliwich – Nestlé USA
- Digestive Health | Dulcolax® Chewy Fruit Bites – Sanofi Consumer Healthcare
- Entrée | Pasta-Roni Heat & Eat – PepsiCo
- Frozen Dessert | ALDI-exclusive Sundae Shoppe Gelato – ALDI
- Hair Growth | Nature’s Bounty® Optimal Solutions® Hair Growth – Nestlé Health Science
- Home Cleaning | FamilyGuard® Brand Disinfectants – S.C. Johnson & Son
- Home Essentials | Ziploc® Endurables™ – S.C. Johnson & Son
- Immediate Relief | Carmex Weather Guard Lip Balm – Carma Laboratories
- Keto | ALDI-exclusive Benton’s Keto Cookies – ALDI
- Mattress | Nectar Premier Mattress – Resident Home LLC
- Meal Replacement | Complete Nutrition Shakes – Soylent
- Meal Solution | Bob Evans Mashed Cauliflower – Bob Evans Farms
- Non-Chocolate | HARIBO Berry Clouds – HARIBO of America, Inc.
- Non-Dairy | ALDI-exclusive Friendly Farms Non-Dairy Whipped Toppings – ALDI
- On-The-Go Snack | ALDI-exclusive Park Street Deli Sweet Snack Selects – ALDI
- Premixed Drink | ALDI-exclusive Zarita Margaritas – ALDI
- Salty Snack | Takis® Hot Nuts™ Fuego® – Barcel USA
- Smoothie | DOLE® BOOSTED BLENDS® Berry Spark Smoothie – Dole Packaged Foods
- Snack & Appetizer | El Monterey® Chili Cheese Chimichanga – Ruiz Foods
- Soft Drink | Nitro Pepsi – PepsiCo
- Topical Pain Relief | Icy Hot® Pro – Sanofi Consumer Healthcare
- Weight Management | Nature’s Bounty® Optimal Solutions® Metabolism Booster – Nestlé Health Science
- Wellness Device | Aspercreme® Flexi-Motion – Sanofi Consumer Healthcare
- Wellness Supplement | Nature Made® Wellblends™ – Pharmavite LLC
- Women’s Daily Supplement | Nature’s Bounty® Optimal Solutions® Advanced Hair Skin & Nails – Nestlé Health Science
- Wine | ALDI-exclusive Don’t Mind If I Do Sauvignon Blanc – ALDI
The 36 winners of the 2023 Product of the Year Awards were revealed at the annual Product of the Year Awards Show on February 16th at the Current, Pier59 in New York City. The celebration kicked off with a red carpet, followed by a night full of entertainment with Saturday Night Live Alums, Rachel Dratch and Alex Moffat, hosting the Award Show, as well as a performance by Tony Award-winning actress and singer, Beth Leavel.
In tandem with the winner announcement, the 2023 Product of the Year winners are currently featured in a shoppable article on PEOPLE Online created in partnership with Dotdash Meredith, the largest digital and print publisher in America. Additionally, Ensemble IQ, a premier business intelligence resource with revered publications, including Progressive Grocer, Store Brands, Drug Store News, Convenience Store News and CBD Retail Insights, has also shared the news of the 2023 winners in respective categories.
Enter the 2023 Product of the Year Sweepstakes, here, for a chance to win a bundle of the 2023 Product of the Year Award winners.
For further information about the 2023 Product of the Year winners, visit productoftheyearusa.com and follow along on social media with #POYUSA2023 on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
About Product of the Year:
Product of the Year is the largest consumer-voted award for product innovation. Established over 30 years ago, POY currently operates in over 40 countries with the same purpose: Guide consumers to the best products in their market and reward manufacturers for quality and innovation. Product of the Year winners are backed by the votes of 40,000 consumers in a national representative study conducted by research partner Kantar, a global leader in consumer research. The award is a powerful merchandising program for marketers proven to increase product sales, distribution, and awareness. Winning products are announced in February each year and receive the right to use the Product of the Year logo in marketing communications for two years. For more information, visit productoftheyearusa.com.
About Kantar:
Kantar is the world’s leading marketing data, insight and consultancy company. We know more about how people live, feel, shop, vote, watch and post worldwide than any other company. Working across the entire sales and marketing lifecycle, we help brands uncover growth in an extraordinary world. Kantar is part of WPP and its services are employed by over half of the Fortune 500 companies in 100 countries.
SOURCE Product of the Year USA
Consumer Corner
Reduce Home Fire Risks: 5 Items to Avoid Plugging into Power Strips
Reduce Home Fire: Power strips make it easy to add outlets where families need them, but they aren’t designed to handle every appliance in the home. Plugging certain high-powered appliances into a power strip can overload it, potentially causing overheating and increasing the risk of an electrical fire.
Reduce Home Fire Risks: 5 Items to Avoid Plugging into Power Strips
(Feature Impact) Power strips make it easy to add outlets where families need them, but they aren’t designed to handle every appliance in the home. Plugging certain high-powered appliances into a power strip can overload it, potentially causing overheating and increasing the risk of an electrical fire.
“Power strips are so common that it’s easy to assume anything with a plug can safely go into one, but that’s not the case,” said Bonnie Lee, vice president of property claims at Mercury Insurance. “Appliances that draw significant power can generate more heat than a power strip is designed to handle. A simple change in where you plug something in can help eliminate an unnecessary fire risk.”
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends plugging portable space heaters directly into wall outlets and warns that extension cords can be too small for electrical loads such as space heaters and air conditioners. Additionally, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission warns that power strips can pose a fire hazard when overloaded.
Take a closer look at these five household items, as recommended by the home safety experts at Mercury Insurance:
1. Space Heaters
Portable electric space heaters can draw substantial power and should be plugged directly into a wall outlet rather than a power strip or extension cord. The NFPA also recommends keeping space heaters at least 3 feet away from anything that can burn and turning them off when leaving the room or going to bed.
2. Air Fryers
Air fryers pack a powerful heating element. Depending on the model, that can mean a significant electrical load while the appliance is operating. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and, when directed, plug the appliance directly into an appropriate wall outlet rather than a power strip already serving other kitchen devices.
3. Microwaves
Microwaves require significant power during operation and generally should have a dedicated or properly rated outlet consistent with the manufacturer’s instructions. Avoid treating an available spot on a countertop power strip as an extra kitchen outlet. If there aren’t enough outlets to safely accommodate appliances, consider having a qualified electrician evaluate the setup.
4. Refrigerators and Freezers
Refrigerators and freezers operate around the clock, and their compressors can create additional electrical demand when cycling on. These appliances should be connected according to manufacturer’s instructions and applicable electrical requirements rather than relying on a power strip as a permanent wiring solution.
5. Portable Air Conditioners
Like space heaters, portable air conditioners can place a heavy load on an electrical circuit. NFPA guidance notes extension cords may be too small for loads including air conditioners. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and use an appropriate wall outlet rather than assuming a power strip can safely handle the appliance.
For information about in-home fire safety, visit MercuryInsurance.com/resources.
Give Your Power Strips a Home Safety Check
The appliances plugged into a power strip aren’t the only things homeowners should consider. The condition and use of the strip itself matter, too.
Homeowners should avoid plugging one power strip into another, commonly known as “daisy chaining,” and should never use a power strip as a substitute for permanent household wiring. Damaged, discolored or unusually warm power strips should be taken out of service. Also check that power strips are appropriate for their intended use and follow all manufacturer’s instructions and electrical ratings.
“If you need power strips throughout a room just to operate everyday appliances, the bigger issue may be that your home electrical system isn’t meeting your needs,” Lee said. “Adding outlets or having an electrician evaluate the circuit may take a little more effort, but it’s a much better solution than creating a potential fire hazard.”
Homeowners should also pay attention to warning signs including frequently tripped circuit breakers, outlets or plugs that feel unusually warm, flickering lights, burning odors, buzzing or crackling sounds and discoloration around outlets. A qualified electrician should evaluate electrical problems rather than relying on additional power strips or extension cords as a workaround.
Photos courtesy of Shutterstock
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Automotive
4 Tips for Efficient EV Charging at Home
Efficient EV Charging at Home: Your car has one job – to take you where you need to go. For electric vehicle (EV) owners, that means keeping it charged so it’s ready to hit the road when you are. Charging your car at home is convenient and cost-effective, especially if you have the right equipment and routines.
4 Tips for Efficient EV Charging at Home
(Feature Impact) Your car has one job – to take you where you need to go. For electric vehicle (EV) owners, that means keeping it charged so it’s ready to hit the road when you are.
Charging your car at home is convenient and cost-effective, especially if you have the right equipment and routines. Consider these quick tips from the EV experts at Schneider Electric.
Watch this video to learn more:
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Install a Level 2 Home Charger
While many EV owners start with standard Level 1 charging using typical 120-volt household outlets, upgrading to a 240-volt Level 2 charger can offer extra efficiency and convenience. With significantly faster charging speeds, these units increase your driving range per charging hour and can replenish your battery in a fraction of the time.
Charge During Off-Peak Hours
If your electric company has variable pricing based on the time of day, you may be able to lower your utility bill by shifting your charging routines. This could mean doing most of your charging overnight and unplugging during peak daytime hours when rates are often more expensive.
Consider a Smart Charger
Since Level 2 chargers can add significant electrical load to your home, many EV owners are concerned they’ll need to make costly electrical upgrades to accommodate the higher power requirements. Instead, consider a smart Level 2 home charger with dynamic power management like the Schneider Charge.
With built-in technology called SmartAmp, this charger intelligently monitors the electrical demand in the home and adjusts the output to your EV accordingly. Whether you’re running a dryer full of laundry or turning on the air conditioning, the system can automatically dial back the charging power to your EV when necessary then ramp it back up when demand drops. This way, you won’t have to worry about overloading your electrical system or being forced to install pricey new panels so you can get everything done.
Since it works with all standard EV charging formats, it’s built to fit your current vehicle and whatever you buy next. Plus, through the connected app, you can conveniently schedule charging with a tap, giving you the ability to manage your EV routine remotely – or just set it and forget it.
Track Your Habits
Understanding your current charging habits can help you fine-tune your routines over time. Smart chargers can make tracking simple and automatic with apps that allow you to access information like how often you’re charging your vehicle, how long it takes and how much energy it consumes.
Learn more about smart EV charging at SE.com.
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Consumer Corner
Getting Your Wood-Burning Fireplace Ready for Winter
As cold temperatures creep in, you might be dreaming about cozy fall and winter evenings in front of a glowing, crackling fireplace. Before you (literally) fire it up for the first time, consider these steps to make sure your wood-burning fireplace is ready to heat your home cleanly, safely and efficiently.
Getting Your Wood-Burning Fireplace Ready for Winter
(Feature Impact) As cold temperatures creep in, you might be dreaming about cozy fall and winter evenings in front of a glowing, crackling fireplace. Before you (literally) fire it up for the first time, consider these steps to make sure your wood-burning fireplace is ready to heat your home cleanly, safely and efficiently.
Clear Out Old Ash and Debris
When you haven’t used your fireplace for a while, it can build up dust, soot and debris. As the first step of your annual checkup, clean out last season’s leftovers but leave about a 1-inch layer of ash at the bottom of the firebox to provide insulation and make it easier to get wood burning.
Schedule Professional Maintenance
Chimney sweeps still exist, although they don’t look like the soot-smudged lads from old movies anymore – and these days they come with a collection of high-powered modern tools to remove buildup from chimneys and flue systems. Experts can also look for ventilation issues, cracks in the masonry and other potential hazards. The National Fire Protection Association recommends getting your chimney inspected once a year and cleaned or maintained as needed.
Consider Efficiency Upgrades
To keep your fireplace working better for longer or improve its energy efficiency, explore your options for upgrades suited to your fireplace type. Glass fireplace doors, new dampers or a high-efficiency fireplace insert can all help reduce energy loss and improve heating performance. Adding or replacing a chimney cap and applying waterproof sealant to the bricks every five years can help protect your chimney from moisture damage over time.
Burn the Right Kind of Wood
Not all wood burns alike, so you can improve the warmth and efficiency of your fires simply by choosing the right kinds of logs. Stock up on seasoned hardwood dried for 6-12 months and store it in a dry, well-ventilated area away from your home so it doesn’t attract pests like mice who may want to take up residence. Avoid burning painted or treated lumber, wet wood or household trash, which can produce excess smoke and harmful pollutants.
Use Safe Fireplace Equipment
Beyond the fireplace itself, check your setup and tools to make sure you have everything you need to safely start and maintain your fires. If you have an open fireplace, make sure to use a sturdy fireplace screen to contain any stray sparks. A good-quality poker, tongs, shovel and brush can also help you control logs and embers, manage ash and keep your fireplace clean throughout the season.
Discover more home maintenance and upgrade ideas at eLivingtoday.com.
Photo courtesy of Unsplash
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