The commitment, announced today, is part of a voluntary action plan on packaging launched in 2005 as the Courtauld Commitment by the Waste & Resources Action Programme (Wrap).
As part of the latest announcement, Wrap will also introduce a new method for measuring packaging waste reduction to check agreements made under the Courtauld Commitment are being kept.
If voluntary agreements are not kept, the UK food sector faces the possibility of mandatory measures to ensure the country meets its EU commitments on cutting packaging and food waste.
Wrap is a government-backed programme charged with ensuring that the UK meets EU requirements on reducing waste throughout the bloc.
The new signatories announced today are Britvic, Cadbury Schweppes, Coca-Cola Enterprises, Dairy Crest, Duchy Originals, Masterfoods, McBride, Nestle and Premier Foods .
Under the commitment the companies pledge to stop packaging waste growth by 2008, and reduce the amount of packaging they use by 2010.
The companies also pledge to identify ways to help reduce the 6.7m tonnes of food waste thrown out in the UK each year.
The companies have a joint turnover in excess of £9 billion and join Heinz, Unilever, Northern Foods and the UK's top 13 grocery retailers in the agreement.
WRAP chief executive Liz Goodwin said the new signatories market major additions to the programme, bringing most of the UK's largest processors into the agreement.
"With the addition of these new signatories, the Courtauld Commitment is an even more powerful vehicle for change, resulting in real reductions in packaging waste," he said.
Melanie Leech, director general of the Food and Drink Federation, said the organisation has been working with members and other players in the supply chain to minimise packaging, reduce food waste and increase recycling.
In relation to food waste Goodwin said the association would be launching a national consumer campaign to raise awareness about how to cut down on food waste.
"We throw away about 6.7 million tonnes of food each year - that's one third of all the food we buy - and at least half of this could have been eaten," Goodwin said. "The involvement of the manufacturers provides us with an early opportunity to find solutions to this problem."
The Courtauld Commitment's target is to reduce the 6.3 million tonnes of packaging reaching UK homes each year by at least 340,000 tonnes by 2010.
Under the Courtauld Commitment, Wrap works with retailers, brand owners, manufacturers and their packaging suppliers to develop solutions across the whole supply chain.
The solutions include using innovative packaging materials and formats, reducing the weight of packaging, increasing the use of refill and self-dispensing systems, collaboration on packaging design guidance, and increasing the amount of recycled content.
Those who have made pledges include Asda, Boots, Budgens, the Co-operative Group, Londis, Iceland, Kwik Save, Marks & Spencer, Morrison's, Sainsbury's, Somerfield, Tesco and Waitrose.
In a statement Cadbury Schweppes said it is committed to using only recoverable or biodegradable packaging for all its products by 2010. The company will also only use recyclable materials for all secondary packaging.
