Munching on Molecules

Lara Tiro and Christine Farkas
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  • FOOD
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Welcome to Munching on Molecules, your portal to the world of culinary delights, food science, and global gastronomy. Lara Tiro and Christine Farkas explore and share the latest in food discoveries and trends from our Canadian backyard and around the world, fostering a delicious food community for enthusiasts and experts alike. Approachable, inspiring, fun introduction to the world of food technology, science and culinary research. - **What can listeners expect to hear?** - Cutting-edge food technologies - Food scientists and culinary mavens perspectives

  1. Episode 68: Sharan Sidhu on Regulatory Strategy and Building Salix Sciences

    6D AGO

    Episode 68: Sharan Sidhu on Regulatory Strategy and Building Salix Sciences

    What if regulatory expertise was not just a compliance checkbox, but a core part of how you build a brand, make a business case, and grow in the Canadian natural health products industry? In this episode, we sit down with Sharan Sidhu, CEO and Director of Regulatory Affairs at Salix Sciences, for a candid conversation about her journey through natural health products industry, regulatory affairs, and entrepreneurship. Sharan walks us through her early career, the pivot that brought her into the NHP space, and what it looked like to build expertise as a regulatory consultant before ultimately building Salix Sciences. What sets her perspective apart is how she approaches regulation not as a hurdle, but as a strategic lens. For Sharan, understanding the regulatory landscape from the beginning allows brands to build smarter, move faster, and avoid the costly mistakes that come from treating compliance as an afterthought. That mindset shapes how Salix works with its clients. Rather than arriving after the fact to fix problems, Salix partners with brands early, getting inside the business to understand the real pain points, the gaps between ambition and execution, and where regulatory strategy can actually strengthen the business model rather than slow it down. It is a different way of thinking about what a regulatory partner can and should be. We get into: Sharan's early career and the accidental pathway that led her to natural health product consultation.How Salix Sciences partners with clients to understand pain points.Importance of integrating regulatory strategy into the brand-building process from day one.The gap in scale-up resources in the West for emerging CPG brands and Nutraceutical brands. Resources: Salix Sciences: https://salixsciences.com/ Connect on LinkedIn: Sharan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharan-sidhu-559a7b11/ Salix Sciences: https://www.linkedin.com/company/salix-sciences

    33 min
  2. Episode 67: Q1 2026 Snack Bites with Christine & Lara

    APR 17

    Episode 67: Q1 2026 Snack Bites with Christine & Lara

    Time for another quarterly catch-up with your co-hosts, Christine Farkas, RSE, CRC and Lara Tiro. In this "snackable" roundup, we share the key moments, industry gatherings, and forward-looking forums that shaped our winter and early spring in food innovation. From San Francisco to Anaheim, we've been on the ground learning, connecting, and supporting growth across the food and beverage ecosystem. Here's a taste of what we've been up to: Trend spotting in full force: Winter Fancy Faire brought us face-to-face with what's next on shelf, including the rise of sensemaxxing and what it signals for product development and positioning.Community in action: The CFE Gathering and BCFT Suppliers Night reminded us why in-person connection in this industry is irreplaceable.The big shows: SCIFT and ExpoWest , CHFA Vancouver delivered its usual sensory overload of innovation, emerging brands, and category disruption, and we came back with plenty to unpack.Founder energy: Jake Karls of Midday Squares at Fasken for a candid conversation on the power of authenticity and storytelling and what it really takes to grow a food business from the ground up.Looking ahead to Q2, we have a packed conference slate including the Dressings and Sauces Technical Meeting, ThaiFX and the CHFA Ottawa Regulatory Forum. We have been sitting on some exciting news: Munching on Molecules is approaching its 100th episode! We are planning something special to mark the occasion mid-November. This show exists because of this community, and we want to celebrate that.  Stay tuned, because this event is going to be worth the wait. Hit play, grab a snack, and let's set the stage for a strong Q2!

    27 min
  3. Episode 66: Saffron, Startups, and a Mission for Mental Wellness, Alessio Monterosso, Ariana Naturals

    APR 15

    Episode 66: Saffron, Startups, and a Mission for Mental Wellness, Alessio Monterosso, Ariana Naturals

    We sit down with Alessio Monterosso, Founder of Ariana Naturals, for a conversation about personal healing, entrepreneurship, and building with purpose. Founded in Ottawa, Ariana Naturals, started as Alessio’s personal search for solutions while navigating depression. The nationally expanding CPG brand of saffron-based tea products can now be found in 100+ retail stores across Canada. A few highlights from the episode:  From personal struggle to purpose-led brand building Why the right partners matter Scaling with intention A mission bigger than the product Alessio shares what it really takes to turn personal adversity into entrepreneurial momentum and why building the right team, listening to customers, and staying relentlessly focused on innovation matters.  Drink Saffron. Be Happy. Links: Discover Ariana Naturals at www.ariananaturals.com Follow Ariana Naturals on Instagram and on LinkedIn.

    37 min
  4. Episode 65: CHFA Ottawa Regulatory Forum, May 26 - 27, 2026

    APR 8

    Episode 65: CHFA Ottawa Regulatory Forum, May 26 - 27, 2026

    In this special edition of Munching on Molecules, we’re joined by two members of the CHFA Government Relations & Regulatory Affairs team: Sonia Parmar, VP, Regulatory Affairs & Government Relations Jules Gorham, Sr. Director, Government Relations & Quebec Affairs We get a sneak peek into the CHFA Ottawa Regulatory Forum, happening May 26–27, 2026. This immersive, standalone event brings CHFA members and industry face-to-face with policymakers, regulators, and key decision-makers. The CHFA Ottawa Regulatory Forum is a chance for business leaders, Health Canada executives, and advocacy champions to share lessons learned, meet in the moment, and look to the future. In this episode, we talk about: - Why the Regulatory Forum creates space for meaningful dialogue, stronger industry alignment, and future-focused conversations. A can't miss opportunity for brands of all sizes. - How CHFA supports members in navigating natural health product (NHP) regulations and compliance to foster growth in Canada. - Important sessions, including the latest report from SafetyCall International, exploring how NHP safety outcomes compare internationally and what the data reveals about product risk, regulatory oversight, and enforcement approaches. If you’re flying in early, don’t miss the wellness and networking activities on May 26, including: 🚴 Bike ride through Gatineau Park / 5KM Rideau Canal walk 🏛️ Supreme Court Tour 🛥️ Ottawa River boat cruise Tune in for the insider’s guide to the CHFA Ottawa Regulatory Forum and why this moment matters now more than ever. Online registration is open and closes on May 12: ⁠https://chfa.ca/event/2026-chfa-ottawa-regulatory-forum/

    38 min
  5. Episode 64. Sustainability, Community, and Sustainable Happiness with Jennifer de Vera-King, Dawson College

    APR 1

    Episode 64. Sustainability, Community, and Sustainable Happiness with Jennifer de Vera-King, Dawson College

    What if sustainability wasn’t just about packaging, sourcing, and supply chains, but also about creating healthier, happier, and more productive workplaces? We sit down with Jennifer de Vera of Dawson College, whom we first met at CHFA Vancouver, for a fresh conversation on what it means to take a more human-centered approach to sustainability. Jenn shares her journey from entrepreneur to sustainability leader. After 16 years founding and operating Ethan’s Playground, a successful pre-school in Montreal, she now helps drive Dawson​'s Office of Sustainability movement, supporting volunteers, nurturing campus gardens, and helping build community across all levels of education. We also explore Jenn’s upcoming speaking engagement at the CHFA Regulatory Forum (May 26 & 27, 2026), where she’ll challenge attendees to think beyond the usual sustainability conversation. Her session reframes sustainability through an institutional and systems lens, bringing sustainable practices into the workplace to support happiness, health, and productivity. Jenn also explains what it means to be a Sustainable Happiness Facilitator, where she finds inspiration in this work, and how collaborating with students has helped shape stronger programs and deeper community connection. It’s part sustainability rethink, part community-building story, and part invitation to imagine systems that help people thrive. Links: Dawson College, Office of Sustainability: https://www.dawsoncollege.qc.ca/sustainable/about-us/meet-our-team/ CHFA Regulatory Forum, May 26 & 27, 2026: https://chfa.ca/event/2026-chfa-ottawa-regulatory-forum/

    28 min
  6. Episode 63: Michael Bentley on Skepticism, SierraSil®, and the Future of Natural Health

    MAR 24

    Episode 63: Michael Bentley on Skepticism, SierraSil®, and the Future of Natural Health

    What happens when a supplements skeptic ends up leading a Canadian natural health company with clinically backed, patented ingredients? In this episode of Munching on Molecules, we sit down with Michael Bentley, President of SierraSil® Health Inc., to talk about leadership, credibility, and the role of natural health products in Canada. We interviewed Michael live on location at the Multivac Innovation Center after first meeting him at CHFA Vancouver, where his topical spray drew us into the SierraSil booth. With experience across personnel and safety, sales and marketing, and operations management, Michael brings a wide-ranging perspective to both business leadership and the natural health sector. Michael shares how he went from being a "supplement skeptic"  to taking the reins at SierraSil, and what he has learned along the way. We also get into SierraSil’s three product lines, the importance of Canada’s natural health industry, and a few personal stories, including his first Sun Run (after quitting running due to sore knees). In this episode, we discuss: Michael’s path from supplements skeptic to President of SierraSil® What sets SierraSil® apart and an overview of its three product lines Why Canada’s natural health industry plays such an important role Michael’s reflections on leadership, including taking the reins at SierraSil This episode offers an insightful look at leadership, credibility, and innovation in Canada’s natural health sector. Tune in for a thoughtful conversation on natural health innovation, industry leadership, and the unexpected paths that shape a career. Learn more about: SierraSil® Health Inc.: https://sierrasil.com Canadian Health & Fitness Institute: https://chfi.fit Canadian National Health and Fitness Day: June 6, 2026 Let's Move Canada Challenge: https://letsmovecanada.com

    39 min
  7. Episode 62: From Farmers’ Market to Manufacturing: Building Made with Local with Sheena Russell, Founder & CEO.

    MAR 16

    Episode 62: From Farmers’ Market to Manufacturing: Building Made with Local with Sheena Russell, Founder & CEO.

    What does it look like to build a proudly Canadian snack brand from a farmers’ market table all the way to owning your own production facility? In this episode, we sit down with Sheena Russell, Founder & CEO of Made with Local, for a behind-the-scenes conversation on building a CPG brand rooted in real food, local sourcing, and a whole lot of persistence. Made with Local started at a farmers’ market in 2012, with Sheena selling bars made with simple ingredients that actually tasted good. People bought them, loved them, and kept coming back. In this episode, Sheena shares the journey from those early market days, to working with a contract manufacturer, to eventually building her own manufacturing facility just north of Halifax. As an East Coast–based brand with deep roots in locally sourced Canadian ingredients, Made with Local stands out for more than just its products. Sheena opens up about the realities of launching and scaling a food business, the challenges of manufacturing, and what it means to stay committed to your values while growing a brand in today’s CPG landscape. We get into: • Starting at the farmers’ market and learning directly from early customers • The transition from handmade production to working with a contract manufacturer. • What it took to build and operate a manufacturing facility in Nova Scotia It’s part founder story, part manufacturing journey, part CPG reality check, and fully grounded in what it takes to build a brand that’s made in Canada and made with purpose. MADE WITH LOCAL

    25 min
  8. Episode 61: Expo 2026 Recap

    MAR 14

    Episode 61: Expo 2026 Recap

    In this recap episode, Munching on Molecules looks back on Expo 2026 to capture the energy, standout conversations, and biggest trends & themes shaping the future of food. From emerging brand innovations to sharp insights on product development, ingredient trends, and what it really takes to stand out in today’s CPG landscape, this episode highlights the ideas and momentum coming out of the show floor. Listen in for our key takeaways, the trends, products, and conversations that left a lasting impression. Brands we interviewed: Aelo Kessho Dr. Bee Little Latke Living Tree Foods O'kra Anne's Toum River Valle Specialty Farms The Lucky Ox Mamame Purplesful Snacking Smolbol Whims Delight A special thank you to the brands who graciously gifted swag (see the very end) and samples along the way. Your generosity added an extra layer of fun to the experience and gave us even more to explore beyond the booth conversations. Sunshine Buns Wildwonder Maazah Females in Food Wedderspoon Host Defense Mushrooms Yumi Jonny Pops If you were at Expo 2026 too, tell us: what brand, booth, or innovation stood out most to you?

    21 min
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About

Welcome to Munching on Molecules, your portal to the world of culinary delights, food science, and global gastronomy. Lara Tiro and Christine Farkas explore and share the latest in food discoveries and trends from our Canadian backyard and around the world, fostering a delicious food community for enthusiasts and experts alike. Approachable, inspiring, fun introduction to the world of food technology, science and culinary research. - **What can listeners expect to hear?** - Cutting-edge food technologies - Food scientists and culinary mavens perspectives

Information

  • Creator
    Lara Tiro and Christine Farkas
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    68
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Lara Tiro and Christine Farkas
  • Show Website
    Munching on Molecules