The International Chewing Gum Association (ICGA) regulates the substances of chewing gum candy and the process used to make it. Some of the same synthetic ingredients found in diet soda are used to make gum. The regulations keep the ingredients consistent from company to company so the gum is safe for consumption. Add this to my Recipe Box.
Gum Base
The chewy part of gum comes from the gum base, which is made up of food-grade polymers, waxes and softeners. At this stage, the gum is not ready for consumption. These base materials are often synthetic, which provides texture for the final gum product. They do not have any nutritional value.
Sweeteners
Individual gum makers add sweeteners to the gum. For its sugar free gums, Wrigley adds six different sweeteners: acesulfame K, aspartame, maltitol, sucralose, sorbitol and xylitol. These sweeteners are artificial and deliver taste without the calories. Sugary chewing gums use pure powdered cane sugar, beet sugar and corn syrup.
Softeners and Bulking Agents
These two elements play a role in how long the gum can last. Chewing gums also include glycerin and vegetable oil products. They keep the gum soft and malleable by holding in the moisture from saliva. Mannitol and sorbitol are added for bulk so the gum does not thin out after multiple chews.
Flavoring and Color
Gum companies use artificial additives to create their flavors and designs. Most of them are kept secret. Popular flavors include peppermint and spearmint, in which case the mint is extracted from farm grown mint. Other fruit and spice essences create distinctive flavors like strawberry, watermelon and fruit punch. Food coloring is also added to make the gum visually appealing, such as red for cherry and blue for icy mint varieties.
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