Composition of and declaration for chewing gum

Composition of and declaration for chewing gum
Joint campaign for Basel City (main laboratory) and Basel Country
Number of samples investigated: 43 complained about: 13
Grounds for complaint: composition (4), declaration (11)
Background
The first chewing gum was sold in New York in 1869. Chewing gums essentially consist of a
chewable base. In normal chewing gum, the wax element predominates, whereas in bubble gum it is
the rubber-like substances that predominate. To be able to work the base into a homogeneous,
plastic mass, it must be heated to about 60°C before being kneaded together with the sugar
components. The addition of glycerine (E422) makes the mass more workable. Before the addition of
the sensitive ingredients and rolling out, the mass is cooled again to 30°C.
More than a half of all chewing gums on the market are sugar-free, i.e. they contain sugar alcohols
instead of glucose and saccharose. Although these sugar substitutes do not have significantly fewer
calories than the corresponding sugars, they exhibit less marked cariogenicity and barely affect blood
sugar levels. Their relative sweetness is slightly less than that of saccharose. Sweeteners such as
aspartame and acesulfam K are sometimes also present. These additives are likewise non-cariogenic
and as it were calorie-free.
Chewing gums are being marketed increasingly frequently (mostly at a significantly higher price)
which, based on certain claims or presentations, are extolled as “teeth-cleaning chewing gums”. In
principle, all sugar-free chewing gums are “teeth-cleaning” chewing gums. Whether additives such as
carbamide or special mineral salts have added benefits for teeth is still a matter of debate.
Aims of the investigation
Chewing gums have rarely been analysed in recent years. The aim of the investigation was to
determine sugar alcohols, sweeteners, sugar, colouring agents, minerals, carbamide and glycerine.
The marketing of increasingly novel chewing gums, particularly those claimed to have medicinal
properties, also calls for stringent checking of the declarations provided for such products.
Legal principles
Chewing gums are not explicitly mentioned in the Swiss Food Ordinance (LMV). Nevertheless,
chewing gums are classed as foodstuffs. Claims of medicinal benefits are thus also prohibited for
these products under Article 19 of the LMV. According to the Federal Rules and Regulations on
Ingredients and Additives (FRRIA), chewing gums that contain sugar are classed with cake and sugar
products (22.1.7), while sugar-free chewing gums are classed with special foods (17.2.2.3). Permitted
additives are listed in the usage list in the FRRIA (Annex 1 C).
Sugar alcohols may lead to flatulence and diarrhoea. As a result, the declaration “may have a laxative
effect if consumed to excess” is to be quoted where these sugar substitutes are employed.
The amino acid phenylalanine is problematic for patients with the metabolic disease phenylketonuria.
The phrase “contains phenylalanine” must therefore be cited for products containing aspartame.
Sample description
43 different gums with (9) or without (34) sugar, whether of the chewing (32) or bubble (11) gum type,
were obtained from various kiosks and major distributors. They were produced in Switzerland (11) and
other countries (32).
Test method
Sugar alcohols, sugar, carbamide and glycerine were analysed via the ion chromatograph. HPLC
(high-pressure liquid chromatography) allows for analysis of the colouring agents and sweeteners.
The concentrations of minerals are determined via inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry
(ICP-MS).
Results
Four samples were the subject of complaints on compositional grounds: one chewing gum specified
xylitol as the third ingredient on the list of ingredients. However, this sugar alcohol was undetectable.

Tartrazine (E102) was detected in the yellow pellets of another chewing gum. This azoic dye is
currently not licensed in Switzerland. This colouring agent is particularly a problem when, as here, it
goes undeclared. There are people who react allergically to this substance and thus rely on a full
declaration of ingredients. One sugar-free bubble gum for children contained acesulfam K without a
corresponding declaration of this sweetener. One chewing gum contained 10 times the level of
calcium declared, which likewise prompted a complaint.
Calcium contents were claimed for five chewing gums. The quantities declared ranged between 230
and 513 mg calcium per 100 g, equivalent to a quantity of between 4.3 and 5.9 mg calcium per
chewing gum (i.e. only around 0.6% of the recommended daily dose). By way of comparison, one
decilitre of milk or 100 g of yoghurt contain 120 mg calcium. It should be pointed out that many other
(cheaper) chewing gums contain just as much calcium without claiming this.
Eight packs of chewing gum were “adorned” with phrases such as “reduces plaque” and “neutralises
acids that destroy tooth enamel” or with attractive “pseudo-scientific” diagrams. Such “medicinal
claims” have no business on foodstuffs, even if certain neutralising effects have been demonstrable.
Five chewing gums are marketed with the label “carbamide”. The question is whether the consumer
would pay the higher price if he knew that the substance in question is merely urea.
Conclusions
Chewing sugar-free chewing gum after every meal can certainly be recommended or even promoted.
The diagram showing the “little tooth man” in the “tooth-friendly” campaign can be helpful when
selecting tooth-friendly foodstuffs. Tooth-friendly means that the product is neither cariogenic nor
erosive. Proof that both requirements are met must be provided in a scientific test. Chewing gum is
effective mainly because food residues are mechanically removed from the teeth during the chewing
process. The saliva flow thus induced supports natural remineralisation and neutralisation of the acids
produced by plaque bacteria from sugar.
However, the consumer should not be deceived by the medicinal claims, pretty diagrams and phrases
such as “carbamide”, “calcium”, “white” and “strong teeth”.