The Food Professor

By: Michael LeBlanc Dr. Sylvain Charlebois
Listen for free

  • Summary

  • Join Dr. Sylvain Charlebois, Senior Director, Agri-Food Analytics Lab at Dalhousie University in Halifax with host Michael LeBlanc as they look at the hot issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries. We'll discuss proprietary industry and consumer food related research, check out fresh new ideas and talk about half baked strategies. © 2020-2025 M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    2020-2025 The Food Professor podcast partnership
    Show More Show Less
Economics Management Political Science Politics & Government
Show More Show Less
Episodes
  • Elon's DOGE Eggs Along Bird Flu, KFC Crosses the Road to Texas, the World Needs Ukranian Ag, & Food Politics & Consumer Trust: A Deep Dive with CHFA's CEO & President Aaron Skelton

    Elon's DOGE Eggs Along Bird Flu, KFC Crosses the Road to Texas, the World Needs Ukranian Ag, & Food Politics & Consumer Trust: A Deep Dive with CHFA's CEO & President Aaron Skelton
    Feb 20 2025
    The latest The Food Professor Podcast episode dives deep into the regulatory landscape shaping Canada's natural health product sector. Hosts Michael LeBlanc and Sylvain Charlebois sit down with Aaron Skelton, President and CEO of the Canadian Health Food Association (CHFA), to discuss pressing industry challenges and opportunities.With 82% of Canadians using natural health products, the CHFA is pivotal in advocating for businesses navigating Health Canada regulations, labelling laws, and cost recovery fees. Skelton shares insights into the Save Our Supplements (SOS) campaign, an initiative pushing back against policies that could increase costs and reduce product availability. He emphasizes the need for regulatory balance that fosters innovation while maintaining consumer safety.The conversation also covers the impact of rising tariffs on Canadian manufacturers, making it harder for local brands to compete with international markets. Skelton highlights the urgent need for policies that support domestic food production and streamline interprovincial trade.Shifting gears, the hosts explore consumer trust and transparency in health products. With increased scrutiny over false claims and misleading marketing, third-party certifications like B Corp and Canadian Organic Certification have become crucial in building credibility. Skelton stresses that transparency—not perfection—is key to maintaining consumer confidence.In the news, we touch on Elon's DOGE cuts to the USDA and their potential impact in Canada, Loblaws' multi-billion-dollar investment, the pause in Saskatchewan's canola processing plant, and KFC's surprising corporate relocation from Kentucky to Texas, as well as the state and future of agriculture in the Ukraine and the practical economics of adding hens in your back yard to make your eggs.This episode is packed with insider knowledge on food safety, economic policy, and industry regulation, making it a must-listen for food professionals, policymakers, and consumers interested in the future of Canada's health and wellness sector. The Food Professor #podcast is presented by Caddle. About UsDr. Sylvain Charlebois is a Professor in food distribution and policy in the Faculties of Management and Agriculture at Dalhousie University in Halifax. He is also the Senior Director of the Agri-food Analytics Lab, also located at Dalhousie University. Before joining Dalhousie, he was affiliated with the University of Guelph’s Arrell Food Institute, which he co-founded. Known as “The Food Professor”, his current research interest lies in the broad area of food distribution, security and safety. Google Scholar ranks him as one of the world's most cited scholars in food supply chain management, food value chains and traceability.He has authored five books on global food systems, his most recent one published in 2017 by Wiley-Blackwell entitled “Food Safety, Risk Intelligence and Benchmarking”. He has also published over 500 peer-reviewed journal articles in several academic publications. Furthermore, his research has been featured in several newspapers and media groups, including The Lancet, The Economist, the New York Times, the Boston Globe, the Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, BBC, NBC, ABC, Fox News, Foreign Affairs, the Globe & Mail, the National Post and the Toronto Star.Dr. Charlebois sits on a few company boards, and supports many organizations as a special advisor, including some publicly traded companies. Charlebois is also a member of the Scientific Council of the Business Scientific Institute, based in Luxemburg. Dr. Charlebois is a member of the Global Food Traceability Centre’s Advisory Board based in Washington DC, and a member of the National Scientific Committee of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) in Ottawa. Michael LeBlanc is the president and founder of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc, a senior retail advisor, keynote speaker and now, media entrepreneur. He has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. Michael has delivered keynotes, hosted fire-side discussions and participated worldwide in thought leadership panels, most recently on the main stage in Toronto at Retail Council of Canada’s Retail Marketing conference with leaders from Walmart & Google. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience with Levi's, Black & Decker, Hudson's Bay, CanWest Media, Pandora Jewellery, The Shopping Channel and Retail Council of Canada to his advisory, speaking and media practice.Michael produces and hosts a network of leading retail trade podcasts, including the award-winning No.1 independent retail industry podcast in America, Remarkable Retail with his partner, Dallas-based best-selling author Steve Dennis; Canada's top retail industry podcast The Voice of Retail and Canada's top food industry and one of the top Canadian-produced management independent podcasts in the country, The Food Professor with ...
    Show More Show Less
    59 mins
  • Premiers Milk Run in Washington, Buy Canadian Movement, and guest Karen Proud, President and Adjudicator, Office of the Grocery Sector Code of Conduct

    Premiers Milk Run in Washington, Buy Canadian Movement, and guest Karen Proud, President and Adjudicator, Office of the Grocery Sector Code of Conduct
    Feb 13 2025
    In this episode of The Food Professor Podcast, we welcome Karen Proud, the inaugural President and Adjudicator of the newly established Office of the Grocery Sector Code of Conduct (OGSCC). With an extensive background in industry leadership, policy, and regulatory affairs—including past roles as President & CEO of Fertilizer Canada and COO at Food, Health & Consumer Products of Canada—Karen brings deep expertise to this critical new role aimed at fostering fair business practices in the grocery industry.Karen shares insights into her priorities for the first 100 days, including setting up the office, educating industry stakeholders, and ensuring smooth implementation when the code officially takes effect in June. She also addresses industry skepticism about the voluntary nature of the code and how transparency, public reporting, and industry buy-in will drive accountability.Beyond the grocery code, Michael LeBlanc and Dr. Sylvain Charlebois dive into pressing issues shaping the food retail landscape. They explore the evolving "buy Canadian" movement, questioning whether consumer support for domestic products is a trend or a fleeting response to geopolitical tensions. They also discuss the impact of tariffs, supply management in the dairy sector, and whether Canadians truly understand how grocery pricing and food policies work.The conversation extends to shrinkflation, the federal government's response to rising food costs, and how consumer perceptions influence buying behaviour. Are grocery chains and private-label brands benefiting from shifting consumer preferences? Is there a genuine commitment from major players to offer more Canadian-made products?In addition, raw milk and seed oils take center stage, with Sylvain weighing in on the debate over health benefits, government regulation, and consumer demand for alternative food choices. Meanwhile, the discussion around the GST holiday on food purchases highlights ongoing efforts to alleviate consumer financial pressure while maintaining a competitive retail environment.New York Times article on Raw Milkhttps://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/13/magazine/raw-milk-danger-benefits.html?unlocked_article_code=1.wk4.xI2Q.wjjcYaYrbFpb&smid=url-share The Food Professor #podcast is presented by Caddle. About UsDr. Sylvain Charlebois is a Professor in food distribution and policy in the Faculties of Management and Agriculture at Dalhousie University in Halifax. He is also the Senior Director of the Agri-food Analytics Lab, also located at Dalhousie University. Before joining Dalhousie, he was affiliated with the University of Guelph’s Arrell Food Institute, which he co-founded. Known as “The Food Professor”, his current research interest lies in the broad area of food distribution, security and safety. Google Scholar ranks him as one of the world's most cited scholars in food supply chain management, food value chains and traceability.He has authored five books on global food systems, his most recent one published in 2017 by Wiley-Blackwell entitled “Food Safety, Risk Intelligence and Benchmarking”. He has also published over 500 peer-reviewed journal articles in several academic publications. Furthermore, his research has been featured in several newspapers and media groups, including The Lancet, The Economist, the New York Times, the Boston Globe, the Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, BBC, NBC, ABC, Fox News, Foreign Affairs, the Globe & Mail, the National Post and the Toronto Star.Dr. Charlebois sits on a few company boards, and supports many organizations as a special advisor, including some publicly traded companies. Charlebois is also a member of the Scientific Council of the Business Scientific Institute, based in Luxemburg. Dr. Charlebois is a member of the Global Food Traceability Centre’s Advisory Board based in Washington DC, and a member of the National Scientific Committee of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) in Ottawa. Michael LeBlanc is the president and founder of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc, a senior retail advisor, keynote speaker and now, media entrepreneur. He has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. Michael has delivered keynotes, hosted fire-side discussions and participated worldwide in thought leadership panels, most recently on the main stage in Toronto at Retail Council of Canada’s Retail Marketing conference with leaders from Walmart & Google. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience with Levi's, Black & Decker, Hudson's Bay, CanWest Media, Pandora Jewellery, The Shopping Channel and Retail Council of Canada to his advisory, speaking and media practice.Michael produces and hosts a network of leading retail trade podcasts, including the award-winning No.1 independent retail industry podcast in America, Remarkable Retail with his partner, Dallas-based best-selling author Steve Dennis; Canada's top retail industry podcast The ...
    Show More Show Less
    55 mins
  • Trump Tariff Turmoil, RFK JR Ag Agenda, Roll Up The Rim Returns & Post-Tariff Future of the Canadian Food Trade

    Trump Tariff Turmoil, RFK JR Ag Agenda, Roll Up The Rim Returns & Post-Tariff Future of the Canadian Food Trade
    Feb 6 2025
    Michael LeBlanc and Sylvain Charlebois break down the most pressing food and trade stories this week on The Food Professor Podcast, which is making waves across Canada and beyond.🔴 Trump's Tariff Shockwave: The duo unpacks the impact of Donald Trump's latest tariff threats on Canadian farmers, the surprising response from Mexico, and whether food will ultimately be exempt from future trade restrictions. Is Canada too dependent on the U.S., and what role should Mexico and India play in diversifying agricultural exports?☕ Tim Hortons Brings Back Roll Up the Rim: A Canadian classic returns! The hosts reminisce about the campaign's history and resilience despite environmental concerns and digital shifts.🌍 Canadian Consumer Reaction: With interprovincial trade barriers under scrutiny and rising nationalistic sentiment, Michael and Sylvain explore what it means to "buy Canadian." How can consumers make informed choices, from wine boycotts to retail supply chains?🌱 Raw Milk & Seed Oil Debates: RFK Jr's controversial push for raw milk legalization and the battle over seed oils—are they a health hazard or nutritional necessity? Sylvain shares his insights on whether Canada's supply management system blocks consumer choice. Prof. Ian Lee's op ed: https://nationalpost.com/opinion/ian-lee-this-is-trumps-plan-for-global-economic-domination The Food Professor #podcast is presented by Caddle. About UsDr. Sylvain Charlebois is a Professor in food distribution and policy in the Faculties of Management and Agriculture at Dalhousie University in Halifax. He is also the Senior Director of the Agri-food Analytics Lab, also located at Dalhousie University. Before joining Dalhousie, he was affiliated with the University of Guelph’s Arrell Food Institute, which he co-founded. Known as “The Food Professor”, his current research interest lies in the broad area of food distribution, security and safety. Google Scholar ranks him as one of the world's most cited scholars in food supply chain management, food value chains and traceability.He has authored five books on global food systems, his most recent one published in 2017 by Wiley-Blackwell entitled “Food Safety, Risk Intelligence and Benchmarking”. He has also published over 500 peer-reviewed journal articles in several academic publications. Furthermore, his research has been featured in several newspapers and media groups, including The Lancet, The Economist, the New York Times, the Boston Globe, the Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, BBC, NBC, ABC, Fox News, Foreign Affairs, the Globe & Mail, the National Post and the Toronto Star.Dr. Charlebois sits on a few company boards, and supports many organizations as a special advisor, including some publicly traded companies. Charlebois is also a member of the Scientific Council of the Business Scientific Institute, based in Luxemburg. Dr. Charlebois is a member of the Global Food Traceability Centre’s Advisory Board based in Washington DC, and a member of the National Scientific Committee of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) in Ottawa. Michael LeBlanc is the president and founder of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc, a senior retail advisor, keynote speaker and now, media entrepreneur. He has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. Michael has delivered keynotes, hosted fire-side discussions and participated worldwide in thought leadership panels, most recently on the main stage in Toronto at Retail Council of Canada’s Retail Marketing conference with leaders from Walmart & Google. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience with Levi's, Black & Decker, Hudson's Bay, CanWest Media, Pandora Jewellery, The Shopping Channel and Retail Council of Canada to his advisory, speaking and media practice.Michael produces and hosts a network of leading retail trade podcasts, including the award-winning No.1 independent retail industry podcast in America, Remarkable Retail with his partner, Dallas-based best-selling author Steve Dennis; Canada's top retail industry podcast The Voice of Retail and Canada's top food industry and one of the top Canadian-produced management independent podcasts in the country, The Food Professor with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois from Dalhousie University in Halifax.Rethink Retail has recognized Michael as one of the top global retail experts for the fourth year in a row, Thinkers 360 has named him on of the Top 50 global thought leaders in retail, RTIH has named him a top 100 global though leader in retail technology and Coresight Research has named Michael a Retail AI Influencer. If you are a BBQ fan, you can tune into Michael’s cooking show, Last Request BBQ, on YouTube, Instagram, X and yes, TikTok.Michael is available for keynote presentations helping retailers, brands and retail industry insiders explaining the current state and future of the retail industry in North America and around the world.
    Show More Show Less
    48 mins

What listeners say about The Food Professor

Average customer ratings

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Audible.co.uk reviews

Amazon reviews
No Reviews are Available