US packaged food and beverage companies could delay around 150,000 diet-related deaths in a single year by shifting sales toward healthier products, a study published on Thursday found. The research by the Netherlands-based Access to Nutrition initiative and NGO ShareAction examined nearly 10,000 products sold by 24 major manufacturers operating in the United States. Those companies represent an estimated 37% of the US packaged food and beverage market by sales value. Moving sales toward the healthiest half of products in each category could substantially reduce healthcare costs and prevent approximately US$11.6 billion in lost pay linked to diet-related ill health. The biggest opportunities were identified in baked goods, sauces, dips and condiments, confectionery, carbonated drinks and savory snacks. Because healthier options already exist in these categories, the study said benefits could come through portfolio shifts and product reformulation, meaning changes to existing recipes.