Episode
How Champion Petfoods is Redefining Pet Nutrition with Jeff Johnston
- Podcast
- Animal Health Insider
- Published
- Jul 28, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 2123
- Processing state
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Summary
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 Insider01:56 Champion Petfoods’ 40-Year History & Biologically Appropriate Nutrition04:37 Why Fresh & Raw Ingredients Matter07:22 Building Long-Term Supplier Partnerships10:08 Food Safety - by Design13:36 Inside Champion's Research & Innovation Team20:08 Research Partnerships Driving Pet Nutrition Science23:14 The "What If" Innovation Philosophy25:09 Why Failing Fast Fuels Better Products27:47 Accelerating Innovation Without Cutting Corners29:05 The Future of ORIJEN, ACANA & Champion Petfoods31:14 Champion's Passion for Better Pet Food33:10 Quick Take: Jeff Johnston Outside of Work35:05 Closing Thoughts Learn more about our episode sponsor, Champion Petfoods, and its ORIJEN and ACANA brands:Champion Petfoods | World's Best Pet Food https://championpetfoods.com/enACANA | Premium Pet Food for Dogs & Cats https://www.acana.com/en-US/homepageORIJEN | Premium Pet Food for Dogs & Cats https://www.orijenpetfoods.com/en-US…