Healthy Food Guide Special Diet Awards
2026 Winner
PERTH, WA – A kitchen success story that started in Western Australia has taken the national stage, proving that Perth’s food innovation scene is a global contender. Turban Chopsticks, a sub-brand of the Perth-based My PlantCo, has been named a triple winner in the 2026 Healthy Food Guide Special Diet Awards.
In a competition that saw hundreds of entries from across Australia and New Zealand, the local brand secured top honours in three major categories: winner in the Gluten-Free Category for its Butter Chicken sauce and a double win in the Plant-Based Category for its Thai Green Curry and Traditional Jewelled Mung Dahl Kit.
The awards, judged exclusively by qualified dietitians, identify packaged foods that meet strict nutritional criteria without compromising taste. With a 20-year legacy of analysing supermarket shelves, the Healthy Food Guide endorsement serves as a “gold standard” for consumers navigating allergies and dietary intolerances.
“To be recognised by dietitians, after being assessed alongside hundreds of products, is incredibly meaningful,” said Mei Yong, CEO and founder of Turban Chopsticks and its parent brand, My PlantCo.
“It gives people confidence that what they’re cooking is not only easy and full of flavour, but something they can genuinely trust.”
While the awards recognise modern nutritional excellence, the heart of Turban Chopsticks lies in tradition. Every winning product is built upon authentic family recipes passed down through three generations. For over 60 years, these recipes have been perfected in the family kitchen before being shared with the world.
“We are incredibly proud to bring these awards back to Perth,” added Mei.
“Turban Chopticks is built on ‘Cultural Soul’, taking my family’s heritage and using modern innovation to make those world flavours ‘Simply Possible’ for everyone.”
The win comes at a critical time for Australian consumers. Currently, 1 in 70 Australians are affected by coeliac disease, with an estimated 80% remaining undiagnosed. Simultaneously, the movement toward plant-based eating is exploding; 12.1% of Australian adults now follow a diet that is all or almost all vegetarian or vegan and 79% of households go meat-free at least one day per week.
Turban Chopsticks is bridging the gap between those with strict dietary requirements and those who simply want a delicious, healthy meal. By layering unique expertise over original family IP, the brand has created a “kitchen companion” that people can trust.
The success also comes at a pivotal time for the Perth brand as it prepares to launch new branding and a range of curry sachets designed to bring even more “Effortless Ease” to Australian kitchens and national supermarkets/retailers.
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Petra Vanessie, Ava Agency, petra@avaagency.com.au
About Turban Chopsticks – a My PlantCo brand
Turban Chopsticks is a flavour-led food brand focused on making global cooking easy, accessible and enjoyable. As part of My PlantCo, the brand supports a broader mission to deliver health-forward, convenient food solutions that meet the needs of modern consumers.
