Dilmah wins Product of the Year in Australia

Dilmah CEO Dilhan C Fernando, Dilmah Founder Merrill J Fernando and Sonia Kruger

Dilmah Founder Merrill J. Fernando accepted the prestigious Australian Consumer Award for Product of the Year for Dilmah’s Natural Infusions, last week in Sydney. 

The Product of the Year accepts entries every year from products from around the world that demonstrate innovation and were launched within the previous year. The Product of the Year is the world’s largest consumer voted award for product innovation. The Dilmah Infusions range has been voted number one in the tea category this year.

Dilmah Natural Infusions were selected for the prestigious award by Australian consumers. The range is unique for its Ayurveda-inspired composition, based on authentic and artisanal ingredients including Ceylon cinnamon, cardamom, clove, nutmeg, moringa, turmeric, black pepper and coconut amongst others. In formulating the line, Dilmah drew on the 3,000-year history of natural wellness that Sri Lankan Ayurveda offers, and combined those with antioxidant rich rooibos and green rooibos.

The Product of the Year 2020 award in the Tea category was presented to Merrill J. Fernando and Dilhan by television personality Sonia Kruger at an Awards Night celebration which recognised winners in each of their categories. The event was held at Sydney’s award-winning Quay Restaurant, in the shadow of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and with the spectacular backdrop of the Sydney Opera House. Product of the Year Australia Director Sarah Connelly hosted the evening together with the POY team.

“I first brought Dilmah to Australia in the 1980s as a tea grower with a dream of launching my own brand. Everyone told me it was impossible, but Australian tea drinkers appreciate the taste and goodness in my tea and gave me the break I needed. I am humbled that 32 years later Australian consumers have once again recognised my commitment to quality, authenticity and a genuine purpose,” said Fernando. 

Since launching, Dilmah has expanded to over 100 countries but has yet maintained its founding commitment to quality and integrity. A minimum of 15% of the profits from the sale of Dilmah is used by Merrill J. Fernando’s MJF Charitable Foundation to serve humanity in projects that support marginalised women and disabled youth while promoting conservation and sustainable agriculture.