How much science and curiosity go into a bowl of premium pet food? More than most people ever see.
Animal Health Insider goes on location at Champion Petfoods’ new Global Innovation and Discovery Centre just outside Edmonton, Canada, for a rare peek inside the company’s high-tech Kitchens—and the ideas being cooked up there.
Host Julie Lawless sits down with Jeff Johnston, head of Research and Innovation, to explore how the maker of ORIJEN and ACANA is combining fresh and raw ingredients, rigorous science and a real passion to keep pushing pet nutrition forward.
From the partnerships behind every ingredient to the testing that turns promising ideas into meaningful advances, Jeff shares how Champion is investing in what’s next—and why the future of pet food is taking shape inside these Kitchens right now.
00:00 Welcome to Animal Health Insider
01:56 Champion Petfoods’ 40-Year History & Biologically Appropriate Nutrition
04:37 Why Fresh & Raw Ingredients Matter
07:22 Building Long-Term Supplier Partnerships
10:08 Food Safety - by Design
13:36 Inside Champion's Research & Innovation Team
20:08 Research Partnerships Driving Pet Nutrition Science
23:14 The "What If" Innovation Philosophy
25:09 Why Failing Fast Fuels Better Products
27:47 Accelerating Innovation Without Cutting Corners
29:05 The Future of ORIJEN, ACANA & Champion Petfoods
31:14 Champion's Passion for Better Pet Food
33:10 Quick Take: Jeff Johnston Outside of Work
Learn more about our episode sponsor, Champion Petfoods, and its ORIJEN and ACANA brands:
Champion Petfoods | World's Best Pet Food https://championpetfoods.com/en
ACANA | Premium Pet Food for Dogs & Cats https://www.acana.com/en-US/homepage
ORIJEN | Premium Pet Food for Dogs & Cats https://www.orijenpetfoods.com/en-US/homepage
About Animal Health Insider
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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julielawless
With decades of commercial and legal experience in M&A and other transactions in the animal health sector, Stonehaven Transactions guides small and large life science companies and investors through buy-side or sell-side transactions, license deals and commercial collaborations, ensuring value maximization, a seamless process, optimized synergies, and long-term growth.
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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-beatrice-vos-4184201
Beyond the headlines, S&P Global Animal Health provides expert insights for your animal health business.
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