Trying to work out if 5 Gum is vegan can be a difficult task.
5 Gum, just like many other food brands, has a variety of products, and the ingredients can differ from country to country. Non-vegan ingredients are also often sneaked in by using vague terms such as “natural or artificial flavors.”
To make sure you only eat foods that align with your vegan lifestyle, I’ve investigated the ingredients and production methods of 5 Gum, and here’s what I’ve found.
Is 5 Gum Vegan?
The short answer is yes, 5 Gum is suitable for vegan consumption because it does not contain any of the usual non-vegan ingredients in many chewing gums, such as gelatin, sugar, and stearic acid.
However, there are a few things that you should know about the production of this gum before you start popping pieces into your mouth.
As I mentioned above, food brands often use terms like “natural flavors” or “artificial flavors” to disguise the presence of non-vegan ingredients. Natural flavors are extracts taken from plants or animals. Artificial flavors are synthetic and do not come from any animal or plant products.
Both natural and artificial flavors can be vegan or non-vegan. It all depends on the specific ingredients used to create them. The Wrigley Company, which owns 5 Gum, did not specify which flavors were used in their gum. So, while we know that the gum itself is vegan, we cannot be sure that the flavors are.
Is 5 Gum Cruelty Free?
5 Gum is not 100% cruelty-free because the gum has artificial colors. Artificial colors, common in gum brands, are controversial in the vegan community. They are typically petroleum-based rather than from animal products, but they are also routinely tested on animals to ensure they are safe for human consumption.
Animal testing is a cruel practice that results in injured, disfigured, and killed innocent animals.
While the Wrigley Company does not test its products on animals, they do use suppliers that test on animals. Therefore, I cannot say that the company is cruelty free.
What Is 5 Gum Made Of?
Here are the ingredients of 5 Gum:
- Sorbitol
- Gum base
- Glycerol
- Natural and artificial flavors
- Hydrogenated starch hydrolysate
- Aspartame
- Mannitol
- Acesulfame K
- Soy lecithin
- Colors (Yellow 5 Lake, Blue 1 Lake)
- BHT (to maintain freshness)
Let’s break down each ingredient of 5 Gum:
Sorbitol
Sorbitol is a vegan-friendly sugar alcohol that is usually derived from corn but can also be derived from other fruits or vegetables. It is used as a sweetener and thickener in food products.
Gum base
Gum base is the main ingredient in chewing gum. It gives the gum its chewiness and can be made from various synthetic or natural materials such as latex, waxes, and resins.
Glycerol
Glycerol is a sugar alcohol that is usually derived from plants but can also be derived from animal fats. Vegetable glycerol is derived from soy or palm and is used as a sweetener, thickener, and preservative in food products. Wrigley confirmed that the glycerol in 5 Gum is not from animal sources.
Natural and artificial flavors
Natural and artificial flavors are extracts taken from either a plant or animal source to add flavor to food products. Wrigley did not specify which flavors were used in their gum, but with sweets and candies, the flavors are likely to be plant based or synthetic.
Hydrogenated starch hydrolysate
Hydrogenated starch hydrolysates are usually derived from corn but can also be derived from other starchy foods. They are used as sweeteners, thickeners, and stabilizers in food products.
Aspartame
Aspartame is a vegan-friendly artificial sweetener that is derived from proteins. It is used as a sweetener in food products.
Mannitol
Mannitol is a sugar alcohol that is usually derived from plants but can also be derived from animal fats. It is used as a sweetener, thickener, and preservative in food products.
Acesulfame K
Acesulfame K is a vegan-friendly artificial sweetener that is derived from proteins. It is used as a sweetener in food products.
Soy lecithin
Soy lecithin is a vegan-friendly emulsifier derived from soybeans.
Color (Yellow 5, Blue 1)
These colors are derived from petroleum and are vegan. It is, however, not cruelty-free because they are routinely tested on animals.
BHT (to maintain freshness)
Butylated hydroxytoluene is a vegan-friendly preservative that is derived from petroleum. It is used to preserve food products and prevent them from going rancid.
Why Is 5 Gum Vegan?
The gum is vegan because it doesn’t contain any animal-derived ingredients. All the ingredients are derived from plants or synthetic materials.
Even the controversial ingredients, natural and artificial flavors, and artificial colors are said to be vegan. So if you’re looking for a vegan gum option, then you can safely enjoy 5 Gum.
Is 5 Gum Spearmint Rain Vegan?
Yes, this flavor of gum is vegan. The ingredients are the same as the Peppermint Cobalt flavor, with the addition of artificial color.
Is 5 Gum Wintermint Ascent Vegan?
Yes, this flavor of gum is vegan. The ingredients are the same as the Peppermint Cobalt flavor, but with no artificial colorings.
Is 5 Gum Watermelon Prism Vegan?
Yes, this flavor of gum is vegan. The ingredients are the same as the Peppermint Cobalt flavor.
Is 5 Gum React Mint Vegan?
Yes, this flavor of gum is vegan. The ingredients are the same as the Peppermint Cobalt flavor, with additional coloring additives.
Is 5 Gum Respawn Cool Mint Vegan?
Yes, this flavor of chewing gum is also vegan. The ingredients are the same as the Peppermint Cobalt flavor, with additional artificial colors and vitamins.
Final Words
So, there you have it. If you’re looking for delicious, vegan-friendly chewing gum then look no further than your trusty old friend, 5 Gum! You can chew these pieces of gum with a clear conscience.
Whether you’re looking for a refreshing minty flavor or something a little more fruity, there’s a flavor of gum for everyone.
As usual, if you follow a serious vegan lifestyle you should always consult the ingredients list of any food, even if it’s considered vegan friendly.