First Probiotic-Cranberry Chewing Gum Prototype for Oral Health

The first prototype of a probiotic-cranberry chewing gum aimed at oral health will debut at this week’s SupplySide MarketPlace trade show from Fruit d’Or, a Canadian supplier of cranberry and blueberry ingredients. The prototype is the result of a partnership with Canadian confectionery manufacturer Tab Labs Inc.

This is the industry’s first chewing gum combining the gingivitis-fighting benefits of probiotics and cranberry, says Fruit d’Or sales and marketing director Stephen Lukawski. “This chewing gum is designed to help fight against gingivitis and plaque buildup as well as to support healthier gums,” he says.

The gum is sweetened with oral-friendly sweetener xylitol. It features Fruit d’Or’s Oral Cran cranberry ingredient. The probiotic ingredients are the Blis K12 and M18 probiotic strains for oral health from Stratum Nutrition. Fruit d’Or says that proanthocyanidin-rich Oral Cran is well suited for the chewing gum delivery format because of its low moisture activity and low organic acids so as not to interfere with the stability of the probiotic cultures.

The gum is created using Tab Labs’ tri-layer technology, which allows the probiotics and cranberry to be combined in separate layers while not coming into physical contact with each other.

Lukawski says Fruit D’Or is planning to pursue clinical studies on the gum and oral health.