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 ⁠c