
He took the helm at the height of tragedy. How Danone Canada's president is working to rebuild trust
claim three lives.
The native of Nice, France, spent a year and a half in Canada in 1997-98 as part of a government-sponsored work program, serving as a marketing manager for Paris-based spirit maker Pernod Ricard in Montreal.
Upon his return, Guichard accepted a role at Danone and has been working for the global food and beverage maker ever since.
The company was
founded
in 1919 by Isaac Carasso, a Greek immigrant living in Barcelona, Spain, who was inspired by emerging research on the positive impact of yogurt on gut health and immunity. More than 106 years later, the France-headquartered company maintains its emphasis on promoting health through food.
Today, Danone is a world leader in dairy and plant-based products, and second in packaged water and infant nutrition, with nearly $44 billion in sales in 2024. Its products are sold in more than 120 markets around the world with a global workforce of about 90,000.
In 1972, then-CEO Antoine Riboud announced the company's 'dual project' of balancing business success with social progress, a mantra that Guichard says first attracted him to the company over a quarter century ago and has kept him there ever since.
After nearly two decades working in marketing in Paris on Danone's yogurt, water and health brands, followed by another seven years in Eastern Europe, Guichard and his wife got the opportunity to return to Quebec last June.
Danone entered the Canadian market in 1993 via its acquisition of Delisle, which had been in the yogurt business since the 1930s.
The brand that brings Canadians Silk, Activia, Evian, Oikos, International Delight and more now leads the country in yogurt, plant-based beverages and coffee creamers. Most of the company's 618 Canadian staff are split between its Toronto and Boucherville, Que., offices, while others work remotely from coast to coast.
Guichard was named president of Danone Canada in June 2024 and began in his new post last Canada Day. Within days of his arrival, however, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency
issued a national recall
of plant-based milk alternatives from a production facility that makes its flagship almond milk, Silk — among other brands — due to a suspected listeria outbreak.
Guichard says the company has spent the past year trying to regain the trust of Canadian consumers by investing in its health and safety practices, while furthering its sustainability efforts and developing new products to meet changing consumer preferences.
The Star recently spoke with Guichard from Danone Canada's headquarters in Boucherville, just outside Montreal, about the organization's long-standing commitment to taste, sustainability and health, and the challenges of confronting a tragedy that seemed to call those principals into question.
As a French person, food is the only thing we talk about. Even when we're eating a meal, we're talking about the last one, and the next one.
I was especially interested in the products that people consume every day, and the impact it has on their lives. It's something I learned from my mom, who gave me a strong nutritional education at home, and over time we've only learned more about how important food and nutrition is to your health.
Originally, I studied engineering, because I was interested in how things work. I enjoyed learning about industrial engineering, manufacturing and supply chains, but I couldn't picture a career in it, so I went back to school to study marketing and communications.
I enrolled in a program organized by the French government that sent recent graduates to work for French companies based all over the world for a year and a half.
It's a great way to get on-the-job experience to bring back to France. I had always wanted to travel to Canada and there was an opportunity to work in Montreal, so I decided to go for it.
I always thought Canada was a fantastic country to visit, but I didn't think I would really fall in love with it like I did. I came here with my future wife after we had been together for six months, so this was the first step we made as a couple, and maybe that's why it became so important to me.
I wanted to work for a large French corporation that had a strong presence and a strong impact internationally, both because of the impact it could have, and because I wanted to go abroad again as soon as possible.
It took 17 years, but I ended up moving eventually, and I never got bored working for this company, even in France.
You don't stay at a company for 26 years unless you're passionate about the work you're doing.
Danone's mission is to improve people's health through food while improving the health of the planet. If you want to be a leader in sustainability, you need to be a certain size, and as a global company we can make a significant impact.
The two largest parts of our environmental footprint are agriculture and packaging.
On the agricultural side, we are working with our upstream partners to promote regenerative agriculture to reduce the carbon emissions of milk production worldwide. Danone was also the first major food company to sign a
pledge
to reduce methane emissions from dairy production 30 per cent by 2030.
On the packaging side, we are working with stakeholders across the supply chain to ensure our packaging is recycled properly. Last month we announced a $9-million investment in our Boucherville plant to develop more sustainable packaging. In fact, Danone is Canada's
largest consumer-facing B-Corp
.
We call ourselves the 'health through food' company, because nearly 87 per cent of Danone's global dairy, plant-based, water and aqua-drinks portfolio has at least 3.5 out of five stars on the international Health Star Rating system, which is unique in our industry.
We've accomplished that by focusing on making our foods healthier, and by promoting healthy food categories. For example, we've reduced the amount of sugar in our Canadian products by 30 per cent in the last seven years.
They say the second brain is in your gut, and we know that a healthy gut has benefits that go beyond digestive health, like mood and mental health. We develop products based on the latest in fermentation and gut health science.
Activia has been clinically proven to improve digestive health, and if you have Activia twice a day for 14 days in what we call the 'Activia Gut Health Challenge,' nine people out of 10 report feeling the difference.
We've also seen a surge in products that are high in protein, which has been proven to not only help build muscle but promote healthier aging. Yogurt is a great way to deliver protein to people in a way that's convenient, versatile, affordable and nutritional, without sugar or fat, which is why we introduced Oikos Pro, a high-protein Greek yogurt, this year in Canada.
The same is true of plant-based milks, which were pioneered by Silk in the '70s, before being acquired by Danone in 2017.
It's not just for those who can't tolerate dairy. In fact, many Canadians prefer having their cereal with sweetened almond milk than regular milk because of the taste, but also because it doesn't have as much sugar.
This category really illustrates how we can have the best of nutrition and taste at once, and we continue to innovate in that direction.
Those events have been devastating for all of us, because as you said we are a company that is based on health through food, so facing the reality that we might have missed something somewhere that led to these events was very hard.
This happened a few days after I landed in Canada, and I immediately faced one of the most tragic events in the company in many years.
The entire industry was caught off guard; we didn't think something like this could happen in this product category.
I'm proud of how quickly the team worked to protect the health of our consumers. After we made the recall, we discovered that the issues were from a factory of a co-manufacturer and so we completely changed all our sourcing and moved everything into our Danone factories.
It's been emotionally challenging for everyone, but I'm proud of how we managed to sustain production, raise the bar of all our products in terms of quality and safety, and created awareness across the industry.
We are operating in consumer goods categories that are growing faster than average, and we need to lead those categories and shape them in a way that meets consumer expectations.
Canadians want healthier products that take better care of the environment. They want transparency on what goes into them, the science behind them, and the values of the company.
We're going to double down on what we do best, which is crafting new recipes that not only taste good, but go one step further in terms of health and nutrition.
We are here to develop such products and to develop trust with our consumers. There is a lot of room for innovation, and we aim to lead those categories, not just to serve them.
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Best overall: Brooks Ghost 16 They have every feature our podiatrists want to see. Brooks' Ghost 16 sneakers have everything podiatrists say is ideal for the best shoes for standing all day: lightweight cushioning, heel stability, a rigid sole, and a breathable mesh upper. Its insoles are removable if you need to add more arch support. Importantly, they lace up. Priya Parthasarathy, DPM, Maryland-based podiatric surgeon with Foot Ankle Specialists of the Mid-Atlantic, says lace-up shoes offer better support for standing all day compared to slip-ons. They're comfortably cushioned, but firm enough for long shifts. Our chef tester wore these shoes over a dozen 10-hour kitchen shifts, and during long travel days. Its DNA Loft v3 foam footbeds felt lightweight and slightly springy, but also firm enough to prevent joints from feeling fatigued eight hours into a shift. He raved about how much support they offer for the knees and lower back. They're breathable, even in the waterproof version. Breathability is a key feature Dr. Oldani recommends for standing-all-day shoes. Heat and sweat puts you at and a greater risk for blisters, infections, or slipping around inside your shoe. Our tester wore the waterproof Ghost 16 GTX sneakers during messy restaurant shifts and in drizzly weather. Their well-designed Gore-Tex membranes were effective at keeping his feet dry amid spills and splashes. Best budget: Sorel Caribou Clogs They're surprisingly comfy and incredibly lightweight. Over the past three years, I've worn these clogs for long travel days, running errands, concerts, and standing for over five hours during volunteer shifts. Despite being only $60, the Sorel Caribou Clogs are remarkably supportive and easy to wear. They're made with injection-molded EVA in every part of the shoe, and the material is firm but structured — enough to keep my high-arched feet from aching after long days. They're waterproof with a grippy outsole. These clogs are my go-to shoes in the cold (aside from when I'm tromping through snow banks in winter boots) because they seal out moisture and are made with Sorel's Evertread, a high-traction rubber that delivers reliable grip on slippery surfaces. I wouldn't classify them as completely "non-slip," but they are definitely grabby enough for nurses who may need stability on slick hospital floors. They're stylish. The nearly 2-inch platform on these clogs gives you a height boost and, while they are basically a huge block of rubber color, I get compliments on these clogs all the time when I wear them — to the point that I've had multiple people stop to ask what they are and say they're going to go buy them after I sing all of the above praises. There's even a luxury leather version designed by Proenza Schouler, though the collab is widely sold out. They're not great in the heat. The one downside to these shoes is that they aren't breathable. Being clogs, they're very easy to slip your feet in and out of to catch a little air, but they do build up heat during humid summers to the point where I don't wear them from May to September. Best non-slip: Crocs On the Clock Work Sneaker They're made for spills and easy to clean. Our chef tester wore these on multiple 10+ hour standing kitchen shifts — including one at a very messy oyster station — and only had good things to report. These sneakers, which are part of the Crocs At Work collection, have a synthetic Nubuck overlay that's good at preventing spills from seeping inside, and it's very easy to wipe clean. They're actually slip-resistant. Testing confirms: The Crocs Lock outsole is reliable at preventing a wipe out on slick kitchen floors. They're comfortable and breathable. These sneakers are built with Croc's premium LiteRide footbed, which is why they're beloved among cooks, nurses, and other professionals who are on their feet all day. Our tester reported that his feet felt well-supported and free of aches after long shifts on hard kitchen floors. The lace-up sneakers are ideal for most restaurant workers who need ankle security as they pivot during busy shifts. Our tester also appreciated how breathable the upper material of these sneakers are, especially with their waterproofing overlay. They're well-priced. I hear so many cooks complain about how the expensive, orthopedic non-slip shoes may be worth the price once, but with the stink and stains that come with months of service, they need cheaper shoes that can be easily replaced once they're trashed. The Crocs On the Clock Work Sneaker is easy to clean and rewear for longer, and at $70, they aren't too painful to replace when the time comes. They're polished enough for front-of-house service. We decided to rank these sneakers just above the Crocs Bistro Work Clogs (which are worth an honorable mention) because they offer a more clean, understated look for servers and bartenders. Best cushioning: Asics GEL-Nimbus 27 They have pillow-soft cushioning, yet with a more rigid structure. As someone whose knees become strained from hours of standing, I found the GEL-Nimbus 27s more nurturing than something like the Brooks Ghost 16s. That said, the GEL-Nimbus 27 have a firmer midsole (which helps to keep your foot from sliding around), and are rigid enough that they can't fold in half. They don't get squishy after a few hours of wear. High-cushion shoes aren't always ideal for standing all day because the foam compresses over time, creating a sinking or muddy feeling. But the joint relief is worth it for some, and after testing the Asics GEL-Nimbus 27s for 100+ cumulative hours across international travel days, I can confirm this is a high-cushion sneaker that maintains its structure. They're highly breathable, even in the heat. The jacquard mesh upper is both roomy and breathable, with plush sock liners that feel soft around the ankles. The ventilation and expandable space made these sneakers comfortable and cool after they'd been on my feet for 20+ hours on a long summer travel day to Copenhagen. Best for walking: On Cloudtilt Their soft-but-rigid cushioning stays springy after standing all day. I've tested a lot of different walking shoes, and the On Cloudtilts strikes a perfect balance between cushioned and supportive. On's signature technology, CloudTec, builds the midsole out of firm foam cutouts, or "clouds," to provide structured support. These clouds are organized in a sequential collapse pattern, so they compress gradually in away that offers just the right amount of give. This allows for better balance and disperses the impact of walking all day, thereby reducing fatigue in your legs. The uppers feel super stretchy and breathable. The Cloudtilts use a knit upper made from 100% recycled polyester that feels more elastic and forgiving — especially if your feet tend to swell. It hugs your foot like a sock without trapping heat. One downside: The sock-like upper means you lose some structure and lateral stability, so it's not ideal if you pivot a lot on the job. The secure laces are easy to slip on and off. Dr. Parthasarathy says she finds lace up shoes are more supportive for standing and walking all day compared to one-size-fits-all slip ons. That said, sometimes you want a shoe that slips on and off easily. I love that this lace system lets you tighten across the top of the foot as needed, but has enough stretch and a simple stopper knot so you can slip them off without having to untie and re-tie every time. Best for working outdoors: Wolverine Overpass CarbonMax 6" Boot They're proper work boots — durable, weather-ready, and grippy. Wolverine has been making work gear since the early 1900s, with a long-standing reputation for quality and durability. While my husband has torn through other boots within half a landscaping or construction season, this pair showed no wear-and-tear (besides dirt stains) after two and a half months of heavy use. These boots are made with premium waterproof leather, an abrasion-resistant toe, and a ContourWelt construction that feels both flexible and secure. They have a composite safety toe. Wolverine's Overpass CarbonMax boots are made with a composite safety toe made from lightweight carbon fiber. This meets the ASTM standards for impact and compression, and feels more lightweight than steel-toed boots. Unlike steel, it also won't conduct heat or cold, making it a better choice for extreme weather. It's also thinner than traditional steel toes, giving your toes more wiggle room without sacrificing protection. They're comfortable for standing on soil or concrete. These boots required zero break in time and were comfortable for an all-day shift right out the shock-absorbing midsoles and removable Ortholite footbeds minimized foot fatigue, even after standing on concrete or uneven ground for 8+ hours. They also have a slight lift in the heel to take the pressure off your foot tendons. They're lightweight and breathable. Despite being incredibly durable and having that protective composite toe, these boots weigh just 1.63 pounds. And even though they're waterproof, they're still quite breathable thanks to a moisture-wicking mesh liner. They're backed by a 30-day comfort guarantee. Wolverine offers a 30-day money-back guarantee if you don't find these boots comfortable once you've worn them on the job. Best sandal: Fitflop RELIEFF Recovery Toe-Post Sandals These combine the ease of flip flops with orthotic-level support. These look like your average poolside flip-flops, but they're secretly built like a recovery shoe. They combine a firm, supportive sole with a plush recovery foam footbed that absorbs shock and relieves pressure at key points like your heel, arch, and ball of the foot. The wide toe box also lets your foot spread naturally, and the slight 1-inch heel takes pressure off your plantar fascia — a feature recommended by our podiatrists. I've worn the Fitflop RELIEFF Recovery Sandals for over 8+ hours walking and standing in museums and shops around Spain, as well as over four straight days out and about in New York City, and my feet felt as comfortable as if I were wearing sneakers. They're surprisingly stylish for orthotics. With their slight heels and regular-width straps, these flip flops blend in perfectly with a casual summer outfit without screaming "sensible footwear." They do rub a little in the humidity. I don't think this is a deal breaker because no blisters formed, and they felt fine when I wore them for shorter stints in drier West Coast climates. But after two days of standing on subways, in line at museums, and walking around a humid late-June New York, the straps caused some friction between my toes and outer edge of my foot. I wore preventative Band-Aids, which fixed the issue. Best clogs: Dansko Platform Pro Their legendary support earns them podiatrists' praise. There's a reason "Dansko" is pretty much synonymous with "supportive clogs": The brand's shoes are built with a footbed like no other — contoured specifically to reduce strain on the feet, ankles, and lower leg and made with memory foam to learn your foot's curves the more you wear them. I wore the Platform Pro clogs during six-plus hours of standing at an outdoor concert, as well as many all-day stints at my standing desk. They offer me incredible arch support and strategic cushioning on certain areas where I want it most, like the ball of the foot. The heel counter is very firm, and there's a slight 0.5-inch heel-drop wedge — two features podiatrists recommend for lessening foot fatigue. They're slip-resistant. Designed with an outsole that grips on wet, dry, and oily surfaces, the Platform Pro is ideal for kitchens, hospitals, or anywhere with slick floors. The chrome-free, breathable lining keeps your feet from overheating through long shifts. The leather is super versatile and ages well. I particularly love how chic and versatile the leather Platform Pros are over any other Danskos. They pair nicely with jeans or slacks, so they're great for any dress code. They're not too clunky — though they're a bit loud, and not the most lightweight. The platform on these clogs gives them a bit of an elevated look, but they're also designed with Dansko's signature rocker sole to promote natural movement as you walk. This helps to minimize the clunkiness. That said, they aren't quite as lightweight as, say, the Sorel Caribou Clogs. They're also a little noisy to clomp around in on hardwood or concrete floors, so if you work in a quiet office, these might not be the best pick. Other shoes we tested Honorable mention: Crocs Bistro Work Clogs Many cooks and chefs prefer shoes that slip off easily in case of hot liquid spills. The Crocs Bistro Work Clogs do just that — and kept our kitchen tester's feet supported on countless 10+ hour shifts — while still offering Crocs Lock slip-resistant tread, toe protection, and a heel strap to keep your foot secure as you move around the kitchen. Dansko Bridget: With a double strap to hold your toes in place and Dansko's supportive contoured footbed, we found these sandals to be supportive. However, the heel cup was very narrow. Hey Dude Wally Work CE Classic Slip Resistant: These non-slip shoes are lightweight, have removable insoles, and are overall pretty comfortable, but they aren't breathable enough. : While we like the sleek and versatile aesthetic of these double-strap FitFlop sandals, they didn't provide enough arch support after three hours of standing. Consider them only if you have flat feet. Hoka Gaviota 5: While these are our favorite walking shoes for arch support, the Gaviota (and most Hokas, for that matter) aren't rigid enough to off-set the high cushioning. They started to feel too squishy after a few hours of standing in them. Nike Motiva: With a breathable upper, wide toe box, and balanced cushioning, the Nike Motivas proved to be comfortable for hours on your feet — though not quite as supportive as the Brooks Ghost 16s or Asics Gel Nimbus 27s. Oofos OOmy Zen: A slide-on, high-cushion sneaker from a great recovery footwear brand, these shoes are very comfortable for walking all day. They run a full size small and may be a little too cumbersome for some people, but if you're not a fan of the Asics Gel Nimbus 27s, these are a solid high-cushion alternative. : These lightweight boots are made with the same top-tier durability, composite toe, and high-traction outsoles as the Wolverine Overpass boots, and come with a cushioned, energy-returning footbed. They just take a little longer to break in. What to look for in the best shoes for standing all day "Wearing high-quality, comfortable footwear for standing all day lowers your risk of injury and other foot issues, such as plantar fasciitis or neuromas," says Dr. Parthasarathy. Conversely, choosing unsupportive footwear can create inflammatory conditions that may take months to resolve, Dr. Oldani adds. Here's what both experts recommend: A shoe that matches your activity. If you're walking a lot during your shift, you'll want something with more ankle support than clogs. If you're working construction, you need a boot durable enough to withstand flying debris. Cushioning. This is crucial to increasing shock absorption and reducing stress on your ankles. Rigidity. When you hold the shoe by heel and toe, you shouldn't be able to fold it in half. Supportive heel counter. A solid heel counter cradles your Achilles tendon and prevents you from excessively rolling your feet inward as you step (also called "overpronation"). Breathability. When you're in an active profession, even air flow prevents overheating. A slight wedge. A slight lift in the heel (half an inch, ideally) takes pressure off your Achilles and plantar fascia. Removable insoles. Ideally, you can place a custom orthotic in your shoe as needed. Secure straps. Some people find a lace-up shoe provides better support for standing all day because it keeps your foot in for sandals, look for styles with adjustable ankle straps, including one over the toes for better stabilization. FAQs What are the best shoes for standing all day? After testing 22 pairs of shoes, we think the Brooks Ghost 16s are the best shoe for most people who spend hours on their feet. They're cushioned to absorb shock, but rigid enough to not fold in half, with a firm and supportive heel counter. Are flat shoes good for standing all day? No, flat shoes aren't ideal. You actually want a shoe with a slight 0.5-inch heel, as this helps take strain off your foot tendons, and one with a supportive footbed, Dr. Priya Parthasarathy says. Are HOKAs good shoes for standing all day? It depends on which model, but for the most part, HOKAs are too flexible to be supportive over hours of standing. If you want a similar high-cushion shoe with a more rigid midsole for better support, opt for the Asics Gel Nimbus 27s. What should I do if my feet hurt after a long day of standing? If your feet hurt after standing all day, Dr. Priya Parthasarathy recommends rotating your shoes to provide different levels of cushion and support, stretching during and after your shift, and icing to reduce inflammation. She adds that wearing compression socks may also help.