US food companies could prevent 150,000 deaths by selling healthier products, study finds

Key facts

• US packaged food companies could prevent about 150,000 diet-related deaths annually by selling healthier products.
• A study analyzed nearly 10,000 packaged food and beverage products from 24 major manufacturers in the US.
• These 24 companies represent an estimated 37% of the US packaged food and beverage market by sales value.
• Shifting sales to healthier products could delay around 150,000 deaths linked to diet-related diseases in a single year.
• Companies could save approximately $11.6 billion in lost pay due to diet-related ill health by moving sales towards healthier options.
• The largest opportunities for improvement are in baked goods, sauces, dips and condiments, confectionery, carbonated drinks, and savory snacks.

US packaged food companies have the potential to prevent approximately 150,000 diet-related deaths each year by increasing the sales of healthier products, according to a study published on Thursday. The research, conducted by the Netherlands-based Access to Nutrition initiative and NGO ShareAction, analyzed nearly 10,000 packaged food and beverage products sold by 24 major manufacturers operating in the United States.

These companies collectively account for an estimated 37% of the US packaged food and beverage market by sales value. The study found that a shift towards healthier options already available on the market could delay around 150,000 deaths annually that are linked to diet-related diseases such as cardiovascular disease and stroke. Furthermore, companies that move their sales towards the healthiest half of products within each category could substantially reduce healthcare costs and prevent approximately $11.6 billion in lost pay due to diet-related ill health.

The study highlighted baked goods, sauces, dips and condiments, confectionery, carbonated drinks, and savory snacks as sectors offering the largest opportunities for improvement. It also noted that healthier alternatives already exist across these categories, suggesting that significant benefits could be achieved through portfolio adjustments and product reformulation.