Product Evaluators
Meet our team of professionals who evaluate each Health Check product and menu item.
To earn the Health Check symbol grocery products and restaurant menu items must meet Health Check’s nutrient criteria which are based on the recommendations in Canada’s Food Guide. Our group of product evaluators is primarily made up of registered dietitians who look at the nutrient information and ingredient list of each Health Check product and menu item. They also provide guidance to companies on how they can reformulate their products to meet the Health Check nutrient criteria. As a result our product evaluators work closely with the food industry to help change the food supply.
Marie-Claude Mallet, P. Dt. Nutrition Manager
Marie-Claude is a registered dietitian with over eight years of experience in a clinical setting and as a health promoter. Prior to her role as nutrition manager, she processed product submissions and approved products according to the Health Check nutrient criteria. As nutrition manager, Marie-Claude works closely with the Foundation’s registered dietitians to ensure that the ongoing maintenance and management of the nutrition and regulatory components of Health Check are consistent with established recommendations and guidelines. Marie-Claude also plays an important role in supporting the Foundation’s nutrition related work in the areas of health policy, health promotion and research. Before joining Health Check, Marie-Claude practiced at a long-term care facility and spent two years in the position of manager of the Osteoporosis Risk Factor Identification Service at Ostéporose Québec. She has also worked in CLSCs in Montreal and Gatineau, and as a nutrition consultant at Acti-Menu in Montreal as well as in private practice with Nutria, a start-up nutrition company. Marie-Claude graduated from Laval University and is an active member of the Ordre professionnel des diététistes du Québec, the College of Dietitians of Ontario and Dietitians of Canada.
Sylvie Desroches, RD
Sylvie is a registered dietitian with over 20 years of experience. For the past 18 years, she has worked with for a Montreal-based health promotion corporation, providing nutrition and consulting services to the Health Check program. In the early 90s, Sylvie and her colleagues advised the Heart and Stroke Foundation on the design of the Health Check program, bringing their own experience in developing a similar program. More recently, she provided ongoing support on matters related to product evaluation, label and packaging review as well as the review of licensee marketing materials. Today, Sylvie provides expert advice to the program on developing and updating the Health Check program’s nutrient criteria. Sylvie’s thorough knowledge of the nutritional features of food makes her a key resource to the program’s Technical Advisory Committee. She is a graduate from Montreal University and an active member of the Ordre professionnel des diététistes du Québec.
Carol Dombrow, RD
Carol is a registered dietitian who specializes in nutrition education for non-profit organizations. As a nutrition consultant, she is a key team member of the Health Check program. Carol has been involved in the program since its inception in 1999, helping to develop the program standards, acting as the program’s spokesperson with provincial and national media and acting as a liaison with Health Canada’s Canadian Food Inspection Agency. In addition, Carol has provided nutrition expertise to the Heart and Stroke Foundation for more than twenty years working on nutrition content development and government relations support on nutrition issues. Prior to starting her own practice, Carol was employed by the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario as the Director of Health Promotion. Carol brings a wealth of expertise and a balanced viewpoint on healthy eating.
Katie Jessop, RD
Katie Jessop is a registered dietitian with a Masters in Health Science, Community Nutrition and possesses a strong background in the nutrition sector. As part of the Health Check team, she is responsible for business development for Health Check restaurant program working within the foodservice channel. Prior to joining Health Check and since 2003, Katie worked for Dairy Farmers of Canada in Toronto as a Nutrition Educator, Nutrition Communications and Product Promotion responsible for developing nutrition resources to make healthy eating easy. Katie also worked for Quadra Chemicals where she held roles in marketing and sales, targeting customers within the foodservice, nutraceutical and pharmaceutical industries. Katie has also worked for a large retailer, as well as several hospitals in the Toronto area. Katie is a graduate of the University of Toronto.
Julie Lau, RD, MHA
Julie Lau is a registered dietitian with over 20 years of experience in clinical dietetics, foodservice management, as well as public health in Canada, the US and Asia. As the program manager for the British Columbia Dining Program funded by the provincial government, she works with various stakeholder groups, who together are committed to improving the health of British Columbians by providing healthier food choices in BC restaurants. Prior to joining Health Check, Julie managed foodservice operations at a number of community hospitals and long-term care facilities and worked as the regional foodservice director for a large multi-national company. She has a successful nutrition consulting practice as a nutrition educator and speaker, and has provided her nutrition expertise in numerous media interviews. Julie is a graduate of University of Western Ontario and received her Masters in Health Administration from University of Colorado. She is registered with the College of Dietitians of British Columbia and the American Dietetic Association.
Samara Foisy, RD, MHSc
Samara is a registered dietitian with a Master of Health Science in Community Nutrition from the University of Toronto. As the program manager for the Ontario Restaurant Program, funded by the Ministry of Health Promotion, she works with various stakeholders in the province who are committed to improving the health of Ontarians.Samara’s professional preparation and development for this role was gained through both academic and professional experience in public health at the community and federal level, as well as in clinical and research settings. Prior to joining Health Check, Samara provincially coordinated the Eat Smart! program through the Nutrition Resource Centre where she was responsible for strategic direction, communication and evaluation for the program overall.
Shirley Kragtwyk-Lefevre
Shirley has an extensive business background and brings over 20 years of experience in the areas of client service, sales and marketing, project management and consulting to Health Check. She has enjoyed a successful career working for two of the world’s largest global information technology organizations and more recently owned her own company offering consulting services in nutrition and healthy lifestyles. She is passionate in promoting preventive healthcare practices and helping individuals make healthier lifestyle choices. As program manager of the Alberta Restaurant Program, Shirley is responsible for business development and project management.
Mariève Desnoyers t.dt.
Mariève is a Dietetic Technician and a member of the Health Check team since 2006. Mariève processes product submissions and approves products according to the program’s established nutrient criteria. She also consults with other team dietitians on matters related to product review and provides advice regarding criteria development. Mariève also assesses participating product packaging and licensee marketing material to ensure compliance with all program standards. Prior to joining the Health Check team, she worked with several food companies in the areas of quality assurance and quality control which acquainted her with various parts of the food industry. Mariève is a Dietetic technician who graduated from Collège de Maisonneuve, in Montreal.
Feature Recipe
Tip of the Week
Satisfy your thirst with water. It's a calorie-free way to quench your thirst, so reach for it more often.
Eat Well with Health Check.
Check out Health Check products and menu items.
