AN East Anglia fruit juice company has received a top accolade in the 2006 Organic Food Awards. James White Drinks, from Ashbocking, near Ipswich, has been awarded a gold award in Juice, Cordials and Soft Drinks category of the awards for its Organic Carrot and Apple Juice product.

AN East Anglia fruit juice company has received a top accolade in the 2006 Organic Food Awards.

James White Drinks, from Ashbocking, near Ipswich, has been awarded a gold award in Juice, Cordials and Soft Drinks category of the awards for its Organic Carrot and Apple Juice product.

Lawrence Mallinson, managing director of James White, said: “These awards really are the Oscars of the organic industry and it's great that our Organic Carrot and Apple Juice has been recognised as a champion.”

“We only use freshly pressed ingredients in our organic juices - no concentrates - and it makes all the difference to their taste. We are continually striving to create the best quality products on the market. This award is recognition of this and we are very proud of it.

“The Organic Carrot & Apple was our first vegetable juice sortie -its success has encouraged us also to launch only this month both Organic Beetroot (the first “superveg”!) and Organic Vegetable (a blend with Tomato, Carrot, Cucumber, Celeriac, Beetroot and selected herbs). Fingers crossed these will be recognised at next years Organic Food Awards!”

Besides its ranges of organic and conventionally produced juices, James White also produces Big Tom Spiced Tomato Juice and a Ginger Beer and a Lemon Refresher under the Great Uncle Cornelius brand.

The Organic Food Awards, organised by the Soil Association, were judged this year by celebrity chefs Ramond Blanc, Sophie Grigson, Giles Coren and Hugh Fearnley- Whittingstall, all renowned for championing developments in the production and use of organic products.

There was also recognition for St Peter's Brewery, based near Bungay, which was awarded a silver medal for its Organic Ale in the Beer and Cider category.

A spokesman for the Soil Association said: “The Organic Food Awards highlight the imaginative and highly successful ways in which individuals are contributing to the resurgence in organic local and seasonal food.”

“Awards are presented to the best organic food producers in the UK and they are honoured with gold, silver and bronze awards for outstanding organic products and remarkable contribution to the organic movement.”