Is Ice Breakers Ice Cubes Arctic Grape Sugar Free Gum Kosher?

The Ingredient Breakdown

When investigating the kosher status of a product like Ice Breakers Ice Cubes Arctic Grape, we have to look past the marketing and straight at the chemical composition. The primary concern for kosher consumers is often the source of additives, specifically emulsifiers and texturizers.

The main culprit here is gelatin. Gelatin is a protein obtained by boiling skin, tendons, ligaments, and/or bones with water. It is usually obtained from cows or pigs. In the context of sugar-free gum, gelatin is used to provide a specific texture and to help the gum hold together. Because the source of the gelatin used in mass-market gum is rarely specified on the packaging, it is generally considered non-kosher unless the product carries a reliable kosher certification symbol (like a 'U' inside a circle or a 'K' inside a star').

Additionally, the ingredient blue 1 lake and red 40 are artificial colors. While these are synthetic, 'lakes' are pigments made by bonding the dye to a mineral. Historically, some colorants were tested on animals, but the ingredients themselves are chemically derived. The bigger issue remains the gelatin.

Finally, lecithin (soy) is present. Soy lecithin is a common emulsifier derived from soybeans and is generally considered kosher. However, without a certification symbol on the package, the consumer cannot be 100% certain that the processing facilities or other ingredients mixed with it adhere to kosher laws.

Nutritional Value

From a nutritional standpoint, Ice Breakers Ice Cubes Arctic Grape is designed as a low-calorie breath freshener. A standard serving contains roughly 5 calories, which is negligible for any diet plan. The gum is entirely carbohydrate-based, utilizing a blend of sugar alcohols like xylitol, maltitol, and sorbitol.

Because it is sugar-free, it does not spike blood glucose levels the way regular gum does, making it a better option for dental health (as bacteria cannot feed on sugar alcohols to produce acid). However, the inclusion of aspartame and acesulfame potassium indicates it is a diet product relying on high-intensity artificial sweeteners. For those sensitive to these sweeteners, this gum may cause headaches or digestive discomfort due to the high concentration of sugar alcohols.