Science & Technology

Manufacturing Process

While individual companies vary in some respects, chewing gum is manufactured using certain basic processes, as illustrated in the graphics below:

STEP 1: MELTING

The gum base ingredients are melted together and filtered.

STEP 2: MIXING

Nutritive and/or non-nutritive sweeteners and flavors are slowly added to the gum base until the warm mix thickens like dough.

STEP 3: EXTRUDING

Machines called extruders are used to blend, smooth, and form the gum.

STEP 4: SHAPING

Gum can be flattened and cut into sticks, squeezed into a rope shape and cut into chunks, or molded into shapes.

STEP 5: CONDITIONING

Gum may be sprinkled with powdered sweeteners or other substances to keep it from sticking to machinery or packaging.

STEP 6: COATING

In a temperature controlled room, the gum is cooled for up to 48 hours. This allows the gum to properly set.

STEP 7: WRAPPING

High speed machines carefully wrap and package the gum in air tight wrappers. This ensures the gum is fresh and soft when you open the pack.

STEP 8: WRAPPING

High speed machines carefully conditioned pellet gums in air tight wrappers, keeping them fresh and soft up to retail stores.

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Substantiation of health benefits

Chewing gum benefits for health and well-being

Chewing gum as a confectionery product provides good taste over a prolonged period of time, plus a number of other benefits, including breath freshening, dental benefits, fortification by addition of minerals and vitamins, clean teeth and prevention of dry mouth.

Ingredients technology

A simple piece of chewing gum is actually an assembly of four primary components that, depending on ingredients selected, can produce virtually infinite varieties to please every palate. Each of these components has been the subject of extensive study and research to ensure that it not only performs its intended function but, most important, is safe.

The four main components of chewing gum are:

1) Gum base

2) Flavors

3) Colors

4) Sweeteners

Sustainability

ICGA knows that consumer education will always be the most important factor in reducing the impact of littered gum on our environment and generating long-term, sustainable behavior change.