NOW & Then Podcast – What Consumers Want: Protein, Gut Health, Functional Beverages & Transparency

In this episode, Lynsey and Ashley are joined by CHFA’s Senior Director of Regulatory Affairs and Quebec Relations, Jules Gorham, to chat about the biggest trends and conversations emerging from SIAL Montreal and the Plant-Based Foods Conference.

May 28, 2026

Together, they explore the rise of gut health, evolving plant-based preferences, affordability-driven consumer behaviour, and the growing demand for functional foods and beverages.

The conversation also unpacks the regulatory developments shaping innovation in Canada, including Health Canada’s new prebiotics monograph, increasing scrutiny around “clean” and “natural” marketing claims, and growing attention on GLP-1-related marketing language.