Reuters: US packaged food makers could help cut diet-related deaths, study shows
24 September 2026LONDON, 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.