Tipp company’s rashers secure gold medal at own-label awards

Tipperary company Oakpark Foods has won a gold medal at the prestigious annual own-label food and drink awards in London.

The Cahir-based value-added pork and bacon processor won the top award in the chilled bacon category for its dry cure rashers, which are sold by Lidl.

Over 750 own label products were entered in the competition, organised by Grocer magazine.

Oakpark rashers was the only Irish-manufactured product to receive a gold medal. Finalists were assessed by a judging panel of food scientists, chefs, and food journalists.

Oakpark managing director Jimmy Brett said the award will be of huge benefit to the company’s export drive into Britain, where it has already established itself as a supplier to Lidl shops.

Oakpark Foods, which employs 50 at its plant in Cahir, is part of the family-owned Brett Group.