For vegetarians, it’s important to carefully read ingredient labels and understand what’s in the products they buy. When it comes to gum, the answer isn’t straightforward. There are some animal-derived ingredients found in certain gums, while other gums are completely vegetarian. We’ll explore the ingredients in detail so you can make an informed decision as a vegetarian.
The Main Components of Gum
Gum is made of a few main components:
- Gum base – Provides chewiness and holds flavors/sweeteners.
- Softeners – Keeps the gum soft and flexible.
- Sweeteners – Adds sweetness. Most gums use sugar or artificial sweeteners.
- Flavors – Gives gum its distinct taste. Both natural and artificial flavors are used.
- Fillers – Starch or vegetable fibers to add bulk.
The key ingredient to look out for is the gum base. Traditional gum bases were made from tree saps like spruce or birch, which are vegetarian. However, today most commercial gum bases use synthetic or plastic rubbers. The specific ingredients in the gum base can vary by brand and are usually trade secrets.
Animal Ingredients in Some Gum
While many gums today are vegan, some do contain animal-derived ingredients:
- Gelatin – Obtained from boiling animal bones, tissues, and skin. Provides chewiness.
- Glycerin – Can be derived from animal fats or vegetable oils.
- Shellac – A resin secreted by the female lac beetle. Provides shine.
- Natural flavors – Can contain animal products.
These ingredients are more commonly found in older gum formulations, while many modern gums use vegan alternatives. However, it’s still important to read labels carefully.
Common Animal-Derived Ingredients
Let’s explore some of the main animal-based ingredients found in certain gum in more detail:
Gelatin
Gelatin is a common ingredient derived from the collagen in cow or pig bones and skin. To produce it, manufacturers boil the animal parts to extract the collagen, which sets into gelatin when cooled. Gelatin provides chewiness to gum and is found in some brands like Stride and Dentyne Ice.
However, there are vegan alternatives to gelatin that can be used in gum base, like:
- Pectin – Derived from fruit peels or carbs in plants
- Gum arabic – Derived from acacia tree sap
- Agar agar – Derived from red algae
Glycerin
Glycerin is a syrupy liquid that can be obtained from both animal fats or vegetable oils. In gum, it serves as a softener and moisturizer. Glycerin from animal fats comes from things like beef tallow or pork lard. But there are many vegetable sources like palm, soy, or coconut oil.
When checking labels, look out for “glycerin” by itself, which can be from any source. “Vegetable glycerin” specifies the plant-based version.
Shellac
Shellac is a resin secreted by the female lac beetle. In gum, it provides a hard coating and glossy sheen. While shellac is technically insect-derived, some vegetarians who eat honey may consider it acceptable. But vegans would want to avoid shellac.
Some vegetarian alternatives provide similar glazing properties like plant-derived zein, wax, or vegetable lac.
Natural Flavors
Natural flavors seem innocuous, but can sometimes contain animal ingredients. For example, raspberry or strawberry flavoring can be derived from beetle extract. Natural beef or chicken flavoring also exist. When in doubt, look for a natural flavors that specify “vegetable” or “plant-based” origin.
Gum Ingredients to Look For
When checking labels for vegetarian gum, look for these vegan-friendly ingredients:
- Chicle – Tree sap from the sapodilla tree, provides chewiness
- Xanthan gum – Fermented sugar, used as a thickener
- Gum arabic – Acacia tree sap, emulsifier and coating
- Soy lecithin – Emulsifier made from soybeans
- Vegetable glycerin – Plant-based moisturizer and softener
- Natural plant flavors – Flavors derived from fruits/plants
These are all vegan-friendly alternatives that can be used to replace animal ingredients like gelatin. Seeing them in an ingredient list is a good sign for vegetarian gums.
Gum Base Ingredients
Since the gum base makes up 20-40% of gum, it’s important to know what’s in it. Here are some common gum base ingredients and vegetarian alternatives:
| Animal-based | Vegetarian Alternative |
|---|---|
| Gelatin | Pectin, gum arabic, agar agar |
| Glycerin (animal fat) | Vegetable glycerin |
| Shellac | Plant-derived glazes |
| Natural flavors | Plant-based flavors |
| Casein | Soy protein, gum arabic |
As you can see, there are plant-based substitutes for any animal ingredients that may be found in conventional gum base. Many major brands use vegan bases today.
Popular Vegetarian Gum Brands
Many major gum companies now produce vegetarian and vegan options:
- Simply Gum – All flavors are vegan
- Spry – All gum is vegan and gluten-free
- Pur – Markets vegan gums like Peppermint, Spearmint, and Cinnamon
- Glee Gum – Makes vegan chewing gum flavors
Even gums from mainstream brands like Wrigley and Trident have vegan options. The key is reading the ingredients lists carefully. Also look for certifications like “Certified Vegan” from Vegan.org.
Wrigley Vegan Gums
- Extra Sweet Watermelon
- Extra Cobalt
- Doublemint
Trident Vegan Gums
- Trident Vitality
- Trident Peppermint
- Trident Citrus Twist
- Trident Tropical Twist
- Trident Layers Orange-Vanilla
As you can see, even mainstream gum brands offer cruelty-free options. Contact customer service if you need help identifying which flavors are vegan.
Are Sugar-Free Gums Vegetarian?
Sugar-free gums swap out sugar for artificial sweeteners like:
- Aspartame
- Acesulfame
- Sucralose
- Xylitol
- Sorbitol
These artificial sweeteners are all vegan. So sugar-free gum is generally fine for vegetarians and vegans from an ingredients standpoint. The only exception would be if the gum base contained animal products, which is becoming rare.
Is Gum with Natural Sweeteners Vegetarian?
Yes, gums sweetened with natural sweeteners tend to be vegetarian:
- Cane sugar – Derived from sugarcane plants
- Brown rice syrup – Made from fermented brown rice
- Erythritol – Sugar alcohol from corn fermentation
- Monk fruit – Natural sweetener from monk fruit
- Stevia – Derived from stevia leaf
These plant-based sweeteners provide a natural alternative to artificial sweeteners. Many vegetarian and vegan gums use cane sugar or rice syrup as a sweetener.
Are Mint Gums Vegetarian?
Yes, gums with mint flavor tend to be vegetarian. The main mint flavorings are:
- Peppermint oil – Extracted from mint leaves
- Spearmint oil – From spearmint plants
- Menthol – Derived from mint oils or made synthetically
These mint extracts and oils are vegetarian. Popular minty gums that are vegan include Trident Peppermint, Simply Gum Mint, and Pur Peppermint. As always, check the ingredients to confirm.
Are Fruit Flavored Gums Vegetarian?
Most fruit flavored gums are vegetarian. Common fruit flavorings include:
- Lemon oil
- Orange oil
- Cherry flavor
- Raspberry flavor
- Strawberry flavor
These are typically made from artificial flavorings or plant-based extracts. Some exceptions could include fruit flavors containing natural beetle extract. But this is rare, especially in major brands.
Special Considerations for Vegans
Vegans need to be extra vigilant of certain ingredients like:
- Honey – Avoid if following a strict vegan diet
- Beeswax – Avoid waxes, which could come from insects
- Carmine/Cochineal – Red dye from crushed beetles
- Lactose – Milk-derived sugar
- Casein – Milk protein
These ingredients would all be acceptable for vegetarians but not vegans. Read labels carefully and look for “100% Vegan” certification. Also contact brands if you need help identifying vegan gums.
Conclusion
While not all gums are vegetarian or vegan friendly, there are now many options that avoid animal-derived ingredients. The main things to look for are:
- Avoid gums with gelatin, shellac, carmine, or casein
- Look for plant-based gum base
- Check sweeteners and flavors for animal products
- Look for vegan certification from PETA or Vegan.org
With the right diligence reading labels and contacting manufacturers, vegetarians and vegans can enjoy gum without compromising ethics. Brands like Simply Gum, Pur, and Glee Gum make shopping easy by offering 100% plant-based and cruelty-free options.
So enjoy chewing your gum guilt-free! Provided it’s not sticky and you dispose of it properly of course.