A coalition of over 30 investors and asset managers, representing more than $3 trillion in assets, has urged leading food and beverage companies to disclose the health impact of their products. The group has called on Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, Kraft Heinz, General Mills, Mondelez International, and Kellanova to adopt standardized nutritional rating systems and annually report on their product “healthiness.”
In a letter led by the nonprofit ShareAction, the investors emphasized the public health implications of unhealthy food products, calling poor health a “systemic risk” that negatively affects global productivity and financial stability.
The letter outlined the urgency of the issue, citing a study that estimates obesity-related costs could reach $4 trillion globally by 2035—posing a threat comparable to the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
“An over-reliance on less healthy products contributes to poor diets, adverse health outcomes, and societal challenges, while also exposing companies and their investors to avoidable risks,” the letter stated.
The investors urged the companies to adopt internationally recognized Nutrient Profiling Models (NPMs) such as Nutri-Score, the UK NPM, or the Health Star Rating system. These models categorize food and beverages based on their nutritional content to promote transparency and guide healthier choices.
Additionally, the coalition requested that the companies:
- Disclose the sales-weighted average NPM score of their global product portfolios.
- Break down NPM scores by product category, revenue, and the percentage of sales from healthier versus less healthy products.
Driving Shared Value
The investors, many of whom are part of ShareAction’s Long-Term Investors in People’s Health Initiative, highlighted the benefits of prioritizing healthier product offerings. According to the group, doing so could support public health while driving financial and social value for businesses, consumers, and investors.
This initiative represents a growing trend among investors to hold corporations accountable for their role in addressing global health challenges, aligning profitability with societal responsibility.