FOR the third-consecutive year, local spring water company Lifespan has copped the international standard Grand Gold Monde Selection Award in the highest category offered by the institution.

“Lifespan now sits on the world stage as one of Jamaica’s iconic brands, which should make all of Jamaica proud,” said the company’s CEO Nayana Williams.

She noted that like many businesses, Lifespan had its share of challenges with the onset of the novel coronavirus pandemic in 2020, including supply chain issues.

Williams added that through its resilience, the business continues to be recognised as the highest-quality and best-tasting bottled water on the Jamaican market.

According to Williams, Lifespan will continue to offer the best-quality water to its consumers as demonstrated by its multiple, consecutive international quality awards.

Monde Selection, the international quality institute, was founded in Brussels, in the heart of Europe. In nearly 60 years the international quality institute has acquired unique expertise in evaluating the quality of the culinary, health and beauty culture all over the world.

Monde Selection distinguishes itself by being one of the only quality institutes which offers a global evaluation of consumer products. Every year, hundreds of evaluation sessions are organised during which the juries take the time to taste and analyse each product individually, without comparing one to another.

Their expertise covers the certification of food, spirits, beverages, diet and health, and cosmetic products. For all these categories, Monde Selection offers a global approach on quality aspects that matter most to consumers.

To guarantee a fair judgement of products from around the world, its experts always keep in mind the origin and target market of the product. According to the type of product, the evaluations include sensory, scientific and legal analyses. The criteria and evaluation parameters vary according to the different types of products but are always part of a global approach.

The experts must not only judge the taste, smell, visual aspect and all the classical organoleptic criteria, but must also take into account the information provided for the consumers, the ingredients used, innovation, packaging, and the veracity of the commercial claims.

For this, Monde Selection counts on the support and the collaboration of certified laboratories and independent institutions which can carry out any additional nutritional, chemical and bacteriological tests. The final result of the evaluation is calculated on the basis of the average points awarded by each jury member in a totally independent manner.

Monde Selection brings together more than 80 internationally renowned experts who judge, according to their specialisation, a precise product category. Each jury is made up of at least eight experts under the leadership of the president of the jury.

All of them must have first class professional experience and give their judgements completely independently. The evaluation is done based on an individual sheet that may include up to 20 different parameters.

Monde Selection has the support of prestigious associations such as the Culinary Academy of France, Euro-toques, the Master Chefs of Belgium, the International Vine and Wine Organisation (O.I.V), the Jurés-Experts Piqueurs Brokers, and many others.