Large nutritional and environmental improvements can be achieved across the product portfolios of major UK food and beverage manufacturers

Abstract

Food and beverage (F&B) manufacturers can support or hinder the transition towards a more sustainable food system. Yet, there is limited evidence about their potential to improve the nutritiousness and reduce the environmental impact of the F&B sector. Here we develop an approach to estimate the nutritional quality and environmental impact of the product lines of 44 major F&B manufacturers in the UK. We find considerable variation in terms of nutritional quality and environmental impacts across manufacturers operating within the same food retail category and within existing F&B product portfolios. We identify how changing the types of product sold by these manufacturers offers potential for nutritional and environmental benefits. For some of the F&B manufacturers assessed, changes to 10% or less of their product line could deliver more than half of the potential gains in nutritional quality or sustainability. Food and beverage manufacturers have the potential to contribute to the transition towards a more nutritious and sustainable food system. By analysing products sold by 44 major food and beverage manufacturers in the UK, this study identifies how, and to what extent, changes to product portfolios could improve the healthiness of food products while reducing their environmental impact.