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, ca