Candy vs. gum

Question
Please settle a question that has brewed among some co-workers: Is gum (suger-free Orbit) considered candy or sweets?

Answer
Hello Mike!

   Thank you for your nutrition question.  Orbit(sugar free) would not be considered a candy or sweet since it does not contain sugar. It would just be considered a type of gum.  
   Every type and brand of gum has a specific formula. The ingredients are cooked in large steam jacketed kettles at high temperatures until it is as thick as maple syrup. Then the liquid mixture passes through filters while it maintains heat. First, it is filtered through mesh screens and then moves to vacuum strainers. After that, the liquid mix is poured into a machine with slow revolving blades. Here sugar, corn syrup and flavoring are added to sugar gums. For sugarless gum, sorbitol, mannitol, xylitol or other sweeteners are added instead of sugar.

The liquid mix now moves to a cooler, which will drop the temperature of the mix and get it ready for the extruder machine. This machine will manipulate the texture of the gum. After that it goes to rollers where it is flattened. The thinnest sheets make stick gum. The thicker sheets make candy-coated gum.

  For more answers to your nutrition questions check out "Ask the Nutritionists: Answers to Your Nutrition Questions" available at www.authorhouse.com, online, or at your favorite bookstore.

-George Rapitis, Bsc. Nutritionist
www.juiceblend.com

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