Abstract: A method for producing a chewing gum with a controlled release traditional Chinese medicine active agent, as well as the chewing gum so produced, is obtained by physically modifying the release properties of the traditional Chinese medicine active agent by coating and drying. The traditional Chinese medicine active agent is coated by encapsulation, partially coated by agglomeration, entrapped by absorption, or treated by multiple steps of encapsulation, agglomeration, and absorption. The coated traditional Chinese medicine active agent is preferably then co-dried and particle sized to produce a release-modified traditional Chinese medicine active agent for use in chewing gum. The traditional Chinese medicine active agent may also be used in a coating on a chewing gum product, as part of a rolling compound applied to the chewing gum product, or as a part of the liquid in a liquid-center chewing gum product.

Abstract: Methods of producing edible thin film products and products so produced are provided. The method comprising the steps of: adding to a film formulation a food grade acid; and adding aspartame to the film formulation and acid.

Abstract: Improved edible films for mucoadhesion are provided. The films include at least three types film forming agents other than pullulan, such as maltodextrins, hydrocolloids and fillers. Preferably, the maltodextrin has a dextrose equivalent of less than 20. Medicaments and other additive agents can also be incorporated into the edible films. In this regard, the edible films can be utilized to deliver or release the medicaments into an oral cavity, thereby providing effective oral treatment with respect to, for example, oral cleansing and breath freshening.

Abstract: Edible thin films and methods of making same are provided. The edible thin films provide a variety of different products that can vary in flavor, color, shape, and mouthfeel.

Abstract: Rolled edible thin films and methods of making same are provided. In an embodiment, the rolled edible thin film product includes a container housing a rolled edible thin film. The rolled edible thin film comprises a body that is designed to be segmented by a consumer into a plurality of products that can be separately placed in a mouth of a consumer.

Abstract: Improved edible films for mucoadhesion are provided. The films include at least three types film forming agents other than pullulan, such as maltodextrins, hydrocolloids and fillers. Medicaments and other additive agents can also be incorporated into the edible films. In this regard, the edible films can be utilized to deliver or release the medicaments into an oral cavity, thereby providing effective oral treatment with respect to, for example, oral cleansing and breath freshening.

Abstract: Improved edible films for mucoadhesion are provided. The films include at least three types film forming agents other than pullulan, such as maltodextrins, hydrocolloids and fillers. Preferably, the maltodextrin has a dextrose equivalent of less than 20. Medicaments and other additive agents can also be incorporated into the edible films. In this regard, the edible films can be utilized to deliver or release the medicaments into an oral cavity, thereby providing effective oral treatment with respect to, for example, oral cleansing and breath freshening.

Abstract: Improved edible films for mucoadhesion are provided. The films include at least three types film forming agents other than pullulan, such as maltodextrins, hydrocolloids and fillers. Medicaments and other additive agents can also be incorporated into the edible films. In this regard, the edible films can be utilized to deliver or release the medicaments into an oral cavity, thereby providing effective oral treatment with respect to, for example, oral cleansing and breath freshening.

Abstract: The present invention provides a coated chewing gum product. The product comprises a gum center that includes a water-soluble portion and a water-insoluble portion. The water-insoluble portion comprises at least 50% by weight of the gum center. The gum center includes less than 5% by weight of bulk sweeteners. A coating substantially surrounds the gum center.

Abstract: Improved and inexpensive pullulan free edible film formulations and methods for making the same are provided. The edible pullulan free film compositions comprise effective amounts of at least one film forming agent; at least one bulk filler agent; at least one plasticizing agent; and optionally at least one thickening agent. Medicaments and other additive agents can also be incorporated into the edible films. The present invention further provides methods of delivering a medicament, treating halitosis, treating xerostomia, and treating plaque or gingivitis using the pullulan free edible film compositions.

Abstract: A chewing gum including sorbitol and method of making the same is provided. The chewing gum is created from a formulation that includes a composition that comprises a syrup solution of aqueous sorbitol, a plasticizing agent selected from glycerin, propylene glycol and mixtures thereof, and an anticrystallization agent comprising alditols other than sorbitol having a degree of polymerization (DP) of 1 or 2.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for providing improved processability for chewing gum. Pursuant to the present invention, the particle size of the sorbitol component is chosen so that a chewing gum composition is created that is sufficiently firm for processability through a typical chewing gum manufacturing process. To this end, a method is provided for regulating the firmness of a chewing gum composition including sorbitol comprising the step of selecting the particle size distribution of the sorbitol so as to create a chewing gum having desired firmness. By choosing sorbitol with reduced particle sizes, a firm chewing gum is achieved. Likewise, by choosing sorbitol with an increased particle size, a softer chewing gum is achieved.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel chewing gums containing novel compositions comprising 3-1-menthoxypropane-1,2-diol codried with a food acceptable, water-soluble carrier.

Abstract: An abhesive, high flavor impact chewing gum is provided which has reduced plasticization. The chewing gum includes a non-tack chewing gum base, one or more sweeteners, and a spray dried flavor ingredient containing spearmint flavor, wintergreen flavor, citrus oil or food acceptable aliphatic esters. A method for preparing the abhesive, high flavor impact chewing gum is also provided.

Abstract: A coated chewing gum product with an emulsifier subcoat and method of producing the same are disclosed. Chewing gum centers are coated first by an emulsifier, preferably hydrated lecithin, and then by a hard coating, such as a sugar coating applied by conventional hard-panning techniques. Preferably a binder layer, such as gum arabic, is provided between the emulsifier subcoat and the hard-panned coating.

Abstract: A non-tack chewing gum composition having improved flavor and texture quality is provided wherein the chewing gum has a gum base comprising from about 0.1% to about 20% by weight terpene resin; from about 0.1% to about 10% by weight high melting wax; from about 0.1% to about 4% by weight low melting wax; from about 10% to about 30% by weight elastomer; from about 15% to about 30% by weight polyvinyl acetate; from about 1% to about 10% by weight emulsifier; from about 5% to about 20% by weight filler; and from about 15% to about 40% by weight gum base solvent.

Abstract: A method of optimizing texture and processability of chewing gum compositions is disclosed. The method includes the steps of making a sample batch of chewing gum containing powdered sorbitol, making subsequent batches of gum also using powered sorbitol, using at least two types of powdered sorbitol in one or more of the samples batches and varying the ratio between the at least two types of powdered sorbitol between sample batches in order to optimize texture and processability of the gum. The types of powdered sorbitol may differ in their particle size distribution or particle morphology. Also, the differences in types of powdered sorbitol may be evaluated by making a standard sorbitol property testing (SSPT) gum formula and measuring the Taber and Instron hardness of standard sticks of the resulting gum. Methods of manufacturing gum and gum compositions using optimized ratios of powdered sorbitol are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of adding the high intensity sweetener thaumatin to chewing gum ingredients via an aqueous solution of thaumatin, distilled water and preservative--preferably glycerin or propylene glycol.

Abstract: Fruit juices are concentrated to low moisture levels (below about 25 percent, and preferably as low as about 2 percent moisture content) without excessive increases in viscosity or loss of flavor by adding an edible plasticizer such as glycerin, propylene glycol or a mixture thereof, to a fruit juice or fruit juice concentrate, and evaporating most of the moisture from the concentrate-plasticizer mixture. The resulting fruit juice solids-plasticizer mixture can be used as an additive for chewing gum, foods, or concentrated fruit juice compositions for reconstitution in water to form beverages.

Abstract: A method of making chewing gum is disclosed which reduces the incidence of "sugar spots." The method begins by providing a sweetener matrix in a mixer. Discrete particles of unmelted gum base, e.g. commercially available gum base pellets, are then added to the mixer. These two components are mixed until a homogenous mass is produced. Preferably, the sweetener matrix contains no more than about 13 percent by weight moisture at the time the gum base particles are added.