Can chewing gum contain alcohol?

No. Chewing gum does not contain the type of "alcohol" contained in wine, beer, and spirits. Many chewing gums, however, do contain bulk sweeteners known as polyols – or ‘sugar alcohols’. Although these substances share the same chemical name, their characteristics and properties are quite different.

For background, a certain category of sugar replacers used in chewing gum products are named "polyols" (in Europe) and "sugar alcohols" (in the USA and other parts of the world). These "sugar alcohols" are not related to the ethyl alcohol found in wine, beer and spirits. Although they share in common the chemical term "alcohol", their characteristics and properties are quite different.

1. Does chewing gum contain alcohol?

No. Chewing gum does not contain the type of "alcohol" contained in wine, beer, and spirits.

2. What are sugar alcohols?

Sugar alcohols – also known as polyols – are bulk sweeteners used to replace sugar in sugar-free products. They provide bulk and sweetness with a clean, cool, pleasant taste. They provide one-third fewer calories than sugar, about 2.4 calories per gram. They do not contribute to the formation of dental caries. They may also be useful as alternatives to sugar for people with diabetes, on the advice of their health care providers.

3. Is it true that chewing gum can cause erroneous readings from breathalyzers?

Breathalyzer results can be impacted by consumption of any food or beverage prior to the test, and manufacturers of breathalyzer equipment are the best source of information regarding these potential impacts.

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