CHFA NOW Toronto 2026 has officially wrapped up, and SBI is reflecting on the show and the conversations, ideas, and insights we are taking with us.
Held September 26–27th at Exhibition Place, CHFA NOW brought together thousands of professionals from across North America’s natural, organic, and wellness industry. The show floor provided an opportunity to connect with retailers, brands, suppliers, and other industry professionals while exploring the latest products and innovations shaping the market.
After spending time walking the show floor and speaking with industry professionals, several health and wellness categories stood out to our team at SBI. Here are four areas that caught our attention, along with some of the ingredient solutions in SBI’s portfolio that can help formulators respond to these areas of interest.
1. Protein Continues to Take Centre Stage
Protein was one of the most noticeable themes at CHFA NOW.
From snacks and beverages to supplements, sports nutrition and everyday nutrition products, protein continues to find its way into a wide range of consumer-friendly formats. Plant-Based Protein, in particular, provides opportunities for formulators to develop products that align with the continued interest in plant-forward nutrition.
At Science Based Ingredients (SBI), our portfolio includes Pro40™ Pea Protein our Silky Smooth and Creamy Pea Protein with an incredible mouthfeel and no taste, making it very easy to flavour. SBI has also launched our Clear Pea Protein, which solubilizes quickly, clearly and is easy to flavour.
As protein continues to move beyond traditional protein powders and shakes, ingredient functionality, formulation flexibility, and consumer experience will remain important considerations for product developers.
2. Hydration is Moving Beyond Traditional Sports Nutrition
Hydration was another prominent area of interest at CHFA NOW.
While hydration has traditionally been associated with sports and exercise, it is increasingly appearing in everyday hydration products and convenient beverage formats. CHFA itself highlighted functional beverages and electrolyte products as part of the evolving wellness landscape.
This creates opportunities for formulators to think about hydration beyond traditional sports applications and explore new formats to meet ever expanding consumer desires.
Oselan® (The Ocean. In Every Drop) offers a seawater-derived source of minerals, including magnesium, potassium, and sodium. With its water-soluble format, Oselan® can be incorporated into a variety of applications, giving formulators another option for developing innovative mineral and hydration products, as well as recovery products.
3. Cold and Flu/Immune Health Continue to Be Part of Everyday Wellness
Cold and Flu/Immune Health continue to have a place within the broader wellness conversation.
Rather than being limited to seasonal products, immune-focused formulations can be part of consumers’ ongoing approach to maintaining their overall health and wellness.
With Cold and Flu season upon us again, combined with kids going back to school, Cold and Flu season will be ramping up. Pelaforce® (Pelargonium Sidoides Extract) is our Cold and Flu/Immune Health ingredient for children 6-11, Adolescents 12-18 and Adults 19+.
Pelaforce® offers formulators flexibility in delivery formats and consumers an ingredient to successfully win the battle with Cold/Flu.
4. Liver Health – NAFLD
Liver health is an ever expanding concern with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disorders (NAFLD) the top of Liver Health concerns.
SBI has an outstanding solution for Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disorder (NAFLD) with, Prunus4Liver™ supported by two Gold-Standard Human Clinical Trials Prunus4Liver™ is a powerfully efficacious solution for NAFLD.
Post Published Date: October 13, 2026
