Activia® Unveils a Bold Brand Evolution, Raising the Bar for Probiotic Yogurts in Canada

The pioneer in digestive health introduces its next chapter, combining superior taste, simplified ingredient list, and globally trusted probiotic science to deliver a triple-benefit formula

BOUCHERVILLE, QC and TORONTO, Sept. 18, 2026 /CNW/ -- With the conversation around gut health shifting from a niche topic to a mainstream priority, Canadians are looking for ways to support their digestive well-being as they become increasingly aware that the gut is more than just a digestive organ. Almost 70% of the body's immune system is linked to the gut, making it foundational to overall health and wellness. However, with recent research showing that 57% of Canadians want to improve their gut health but don't know where to start¹, a clear gap exists between intention and action. Today, Activia® announced a bold, portfolio-wide brand evolution designed to bridge that gap and redefine the probiotic yogurt category across Canada, building on their leadership of the past 35+ years.

Activia’s newly engineered recipe supports gut health, provides essential nutrients, and introduces vitamin A to support the normal function of the immune system.

Activia’s newly engineered recipe supports gut health, provides essential nutrients, and introduces vitamin A to support the normal function of the immune system.

With this evolution, Activia continues to pioneer gut health innovation in Canada thanks to a new and improved recipe and taste that meets the evolving needs of Canadian consumers. Going beyond a simple recipe update, this transformation establishes a new Canadian benchmark for daily functional nutrition. Activia's newly engineered signature recipe introduces an enhanced, triple-benefit formula in a single serving: supporting gut health through billions of active probiotics², providing essential nutrients³, and introducing vitamin A to support the normal function of the immune system⁴.

A Modern Identity Anchored in the Power of Science

"Every minute in Canada, an Activia product is sold," said Angela McInenly, Senior Director of the Yogurt Category at Danone Canada. "This brand evolution builds on what consumers already love and trust by elevating our ingredients and nutritional density. Not all yogurts are created equal, which is why Activia's modernized visual identity brings the 'probiotic shape' and our pioneering science forward, helping consumers immediately recognize what sets Activia apart."

An Evolution Built for Modern Lifestyles

Activia's launch of this new generation directly aligns with the growing consumer demand for a simplified ingredient list. To make proactive gut health support accessible to even more households, Activia has completely removed gelatin across all core SKUs, replacing it with plant-derived pectin, and now contains 9 g sugar per 100 g serving, proving that functional nutrition and an exceptional taste and texture experience can perfectly coexist. The new Activia formula also includes Vitamin A to support the immune system and Vitamin D to support bone health⁵, as well as an enhanced, creamy taste and smooth texture.

"In an era where Canadians are overwhelmed by complex supplement routines and wellness misinformation, they are looking for simple, science-backed ways to support their daily well-being," said Melisa Bayrav, Senior Brand Manager for Activia at Danone Canada. "As Canada's number one probiotic yogurt and family doctor-recommended brand⁶, we saw an opportunity to bridge this gap. We aren't just updating our recipe; we are entering a new chapter that empowers Canadians to take a proactive approach to their health. By combining our breakthrough global probiotic science and unique experience over the past 35+ years, with thoughtfully selected ingredients and our signature taste, we are making daily digestive health support accessible, delicious, and uncomplicated."

As one of the most significant evolutions in Activia's history, this new benchmark in functional nutrition is being brought to life through an in-culture, multi-channel national campaign, backed by high-impact experiential consumer activations, strategic media investments and educational partnerships through the Gut Health Network --a collaborative group of leading scientific voices and trusted digital content creators. This robust ecosystem is designed to empower Canadians to prioritize their digestive well-being on an unprecedented scale.

Proudly prepared in Canada, Activia continues to source 100% of its milk from Canadian dairy farms. The newly formulated, triple-benefit range is rolling out now at major grocery retailers nationwide in traditional multi-packs and 650g tubs, with no change to the suggested retail price.

About Activia Canada
Activia is part of Danone Canada, a leading health-driven food and beverage company. Since 1987, Activia has been at the forefront of gut health innovation, offering a diverse range of products, all proudly prepared in Canada with 100% Canadian milk. Activia is crafted with billions of exclusive live probiotic cultures and includes simple and wholesome ingredients, such as raw fruits and whole grains, all designed to contribute to better gut health. Activia contains essential nutrients (Activia is a source of calcium, vitamin A and D) and more than 10⁹ CFU Bifidobacterium lactis per serving, a probiotic that contributes to healthy gut flora. Connect with Activia online at Activia.ca and on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook.

About Danone Canada
Danone Canada is part of Danone, a leading global food and beverage company, with head offices in Toronto (ON) and Boucherville (QC). With a long-standing mission of bringing health through food to as many people as possible, Danone aims to inspire healthier and more sustainable eating and drinking practices while committing to achieve measurable nutritional, social, societal and environment impact. As the country's largest consumer-facing certified B Corp, Danone Canada's portfolio includes iconic pioneering brands in dairy yogurt, plant-based products, coffee creamers and beverages including: Activia, Oikos, Silk, Danone, Two Good, International Delight, evian and more. For more information about Danone Canada and its brands, visit Danone.ca, or LinkedIn.
Sources

Approved Claims & Disclaimers:

¹ Danone Microbiome Survey, 2024.
² Activia contains more than 10⁹ CFU Bifidobacterium Lactis per serving, a probiotic that contributes to healthy gut flora.
³ Activia is a source of calcium, vitamins A & D.
⁴ Activia contains vitamin A that contributes to the normal function of the immune system.
⁵ Vitamin D builds and maintains strong bones.
⁶ #1 selling probiotic yogurt brand as measured by $ Sales in the gut health category (Nielsen report National incl NFLD + GB + DR + MM, during Latest 52 weeks - w/e 21/03/26) and #1 Family Doctor-recommended probiotic yogurt brand based on a 2024 blinded survey amongst a representative sample of Family Doctors. The results were statistically significant at 95% confidence intervals.

SOURCE Danone Canada

For more information contact: Phyn Choy, Weber Shandwick: [email protected]; Danone Canada Media Relations: [email protected]