A study by Access to Nutrition Initiative and ShareAction estimates US packaged food and beverage makers could delay around 150,000 diet-related deaths in a year by shifting sales toward healthier products already on the market. It analyzed nearly 10,000 products from 24 firms.
The 24 manufacturers account for an estimated 37% of the US packaged food and beverage market by sales value. The study said shifting sales toward the healthiest half of products in each category could also reduce healthcare costs and prevent about $11.6 billion in lost pay due to diet-related ill health. It identified baked goods, sauces, dips and condiments, confectionery, carbonated drinks and savory snacks as the categories with the greatest scope for improvement.
