US packaged food makers could help cut diet-related deaths, study shows

LONDON, Sept 24 (Reuters) - ‌US packaged ​food ​companies could prevent around 150,000 diet-related deaths annually by moving sales towards healthier products ‌in sectors including baked goods, savory snacks, cookies ⁠and candy, a study published on Thursday showed.

Here are some ‌more details:

• Netherlands-based Access ‌to Nutrition initiative and NGO ShareAction analysed nearly 10,000 packaged food and beverage products sold by ​24 major manufacturers operating in the United States.

• The 24 companies account for an estimated 37% ⁠of the US packaged food and beverage market by sales value.

• The ​research found that around 150,000 deaths linked to diet-related diseases, such as cardiovascular disease ​and stroke, could be delayed in ‌a single year if food and beverage companies shifted US sales towards healthier products ⁠already available on the market.

• Companies moving sales towards the healthiest half of products within each food category could ⁠substantially reduce healthcare costs and also prevent approximately US$11.6 billion ​in lost pay due to diet-related ill health, the study said.

• The largest opportunities for improvement were in baked goods, ‌sauces, dips and condiments, confectionery, carbonated drinks and savory snacks, the study said.

• ‌The study noted that healthier options already exist across ⁠these categories, meaning ‌that many benefits could ​be achieved through portfolio shifts and product reformulation.

(Reporting by Alexander Marrow; Editing by Christian ‌Plumb)

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