Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) now account for over half of total dietary intake in Canada, with growing evidence linking higher consumption to adverse health outcomes across the life course. Despite this, Canada’s policy and regulatory response to UPFs remains limited. Our research program investigates the health impacts of UPFs, sociodemographic and behavioural factors influencing UPF consumption, and methodological inconsistencies in UPF research with the overall aim of informing Canadian and international food policies.

Recent food policy changes in Canada permit broader addition of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, caffeine, and discretionary ingredients to foods. To mitigate risks, supplemented foods now must display a Supplemented Food Facts table and include front- and back-of-package labelling that indicates the added ingredients and required cautions. Despite these measures, foods and beverages with discretionary nutrient and ingredient additions (FDNIAs) are a rapidly growing market, raising concerns that consumers may be exposed to excessive amounts of caffeine, amino acids, and vitamins—sometimes at levels that exceed safe intake thresholds. Our lab investigates the nature and presence of FDNIAs in the Canadian food supply and the impact of these policies on consumer perception and consumption.

Beginning in 2026, Health Canada will require front-of-pack (FOP) warning labels on foods and beverages that are high in sodium, sugars, or saturated fats, helping consumers quickly identify products that exceed established nutrient thresholds. The Canadian Food and Drug Regulations also allow for a range of discretionary labelling elements—both regulated (e.g., “low in sodium,” “a diet rich in calcium may help reduce the risk of osteoporosis”) and unregulated (e.g., third-party certifications, “Heart Check,” or other implied health claims)—that can shape consumer perceptions and influence purchasing decisions. In our lab, we examine the presence and nature of FOP labels across the Canadian food supply, their influence on consumer risk perception and food choice, and their dietary implications.

Women’s nutrition and health are influenced by unique biological and hormonal changes that occur across the life course. These transitions affect not only reproductive health but also cardiometabolic, musculoskeletal, and mental health outcomes, making it essential to understand how diet supports wellbeing at each stage. In our lab, we investigate how dietary patterns and food environments influence women’s health across key life stages, considering the intersecting effects of social, cultural, and economic factors on long-term health and disease risk.

Childhood is a critical period for establishing the foundations of lifelong health. Nutrition during these early years shapes growth, development, and behavior, while also influencing long-term risk for chronic diseases such as obesity, cardiovascular disease, and type 2 diabetes. In Canada, a large proportion of children already show early signs of cardiometabolic risk, underscoring the importance of understanding how dietary exposures can promote resilience or increase vulnerability. In our lab, we investigate what Canadian children are eating and how it affects various health indicators during childhood. We also consider the role of broader food environments in shaping dietary habits during this formative stage of life.