Functional gum making extrusion to compression switch, says Zoft Gum

Confectioners are beginning to incorporate more active ingredients into chewing gum using techniques used in the pharmaceutical industry, according to US contract manufacturer Zoft Gum.

Many companies still consider the traditional extrusion process suitable for functional gums, but Zoft said that the process can kill active compounds and a shift to compression technology was imminent.

Zoft recently added compression technology to expand its capabilities. The process uses a direct compression tableting process that is similar to that used in the manufacture of pharmaceutical tablets.

"Conventional gum manufacturers use a high temperature extruded process that can kill many active ingredients, which may result in a sub-potent final product. Our gum is manufactured under GMP (Good Manufacturing Process) conditions at room temperature so the actives are fully available in the final product," said Heather Collins, Zoft media liaison.