In this Omni Talk Retail interview, recorded live from the Consumer Goods Forum Global Summit 2026 in Vienna, Chris Walton sits down with Sharon Bligh, Director of Health and Sustainability at the Consumer Goods Forum, to discuss the evolving intersection of consumer health, sustainability, food waste, climate action, and AI.

Drawing on insights from CGF's latest Healthier Lives report, Sharon explains why global attitudes toward health and well-being are rapidly changing, how retailers and manufacturers can help consumers make healthier choices, and why trends such as solo eating, scratch cooking, GLP-1 medications, and AI-powered health guidance are reshaping the future of food and retail.

Sharon also shares updates on global food waste reduction efforts, the role retailers can play in helping consumers waste less food at home, and what companies should know about AI's environmental impact as sustainability leaders navigate the next phase of climate action.

Key Topics Covered:

• Highlights from CGF's Healthier Lives report developed with Bain

• Why consumer attitudes toward health and well-being are changing globally

• The growing desire for home cooking and scratch cooking

• The rise of solo eating and its impact on food purchasing behavior

• How GLP-1 medications are reshaping consumer food choices

• AI, health misinformation, and the future of consumer trust

• How retailers can help consumers make healthier decisions

• Progress on global food waste reduction efforts

• Why household food waste remains a major challenge

• How AI and technology can help reduce food waste at home

• Understanding food date labels and consumer education opportunities

• The relationship between climate action, food systems, and sustainability

• New research on AI's environmental footprint and climate implications

• Where sustainability leaders should focus their climate efforts moving forward

Special thanks to the CGF Leadership Studio sponsored by Vusion for supporting Omni Talk Retail's coverage in Vienna.

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

What CGF's Latest Healthier Lives Research Reveals About Consumers | CGF 2026

Omni Talk Retail

What CGF's Latest Healthier Lives Research Reveals About Consumers | CGF 2026