Quick Answer
Sugar Free Bubble Yum does appear to be discontinued, at least temporarily. The sugar free version of the popular bubble gum seems to have vanished from store shelves in recent years, leading many to speculate that it has been discontinued. However, there has been no official confirmation from Bubble Yum’s parent company, Mondelēz International, so it’s possible the product may return at some point in the future. For now, fans of Sugar Free Bubble Yum will have to switch to other sugar free gum options.
When did Sugar Free Bubble Yum get discontinued?
There is no definitive date available for when Sugar Free Bubble Yum was discontinued. The product simply started disappearing from store shelves at some point in the mid to late 2010s. Many customers started noticing the lack of Sugar Free Bubble Yum in 2016 and 2017. Online customer reviews indicate the product was still available in some stores as late as 2018, but has since become nearly impossible to find in recent years.
Bubble Yum launched their original sugar free gum in the 1980s and it was available for decades before being discontinued. The timing suggests the discontinuation likely occurred sometime between 2016 and 2020. However, without an official announcement from the company, the exact date is uncertain. It’s clear the product has now been unavailable for several years already, with no sign of returning in the near future.
Why was Sugar Free Bubble Yum discontinued?
Mondelēz International has not provided any official reason for Sugar Free Bubble Yum being discontinued. When customers inquire about the product on social media, the company typically responds that select products must be discontinued from time to time. They suggest contacting the store where you shopped to request they bring it back.
However, the widespread disappearance of Sugar Free Bubble Yum indicates it was almost certainly a decision by Mondelēz to discontinue it across all stores and regions. Most likely, declining sales is the reason it was discontinued. Sugar free gums may have diminishing appeal compared to options with more natural sweeteners. If demand was too low to justify continued production, discontinuing it would have been the prudent business decision.
It’s also possible manufacturing or ingredient costs became too high to reasonably price and profit from the sugar free variety. Rather than raise prices, the company may have elected to simply discontinue the unprofitable product. But without an official announcement, the exact reasons can only be speculated.
Where can you buy Sugar Free Bubble Yum now?
With Sugar Free Bubble Yum being discontinued, the gum is very difficult to find available for purchase now. Most stores no longer carry it, including major national retailers like Walmart, Target, Amazon, etc. Some small local convenience stores may still have old leftover stock. However, most remaining inventory appears to have expired.
Your only luck may be finding old packs of Sugar Free Bubble Yum being resold online. Search marketplaces like eBay to locate individual sellers who may still have the discontinued gum in stock. Be sure to check expiration dates carefully before purchasing. Expired gum could be dried out and poor quality.
It’s also important to note that expired food products being resold could be risky. Improperly stored gum may develop mold before the expiration date. Unless you can verify the source, expired foods are best avoided. But for those really wanting to enjoy Sugar Free Bubble Yum one last time, the secondary market may be the only current option.
What sugar free gum alternatives are there?
Here are some of the best sugar free gum options to consider with Sugar Free Bubble Yum no longer available:
5 Gum
5 Gum offers sugar free varieties of their popular chewing gum flavors, including Cobalt (mint), Rain (cinnamon), and Breeze (peppermint). 5 Gum uses artificial sweeteners like aspartame to create the sugar free gum.
Orbit
Orbit gum has a range of sugar free flavored gums, with options like Wintermint, Strawberry Remix, and Spearmint. Orbit uses sorbitol and aspartame as the primary sugar free sweeteners.
Trident
Trident is known for their sugar free gum selections, with popular flavors like Trident White, Trident Tropical Twist, and Trident Citrus Twist available without sugar. Like Orbit and 5, Trident opts for aspartame as the sugar free gum sweetener.
Dentyne Ice
The Dentyne Ice line offers cooling sugar free gum in flavors like Arctic Chill, Avalanche Mint, and Vanilla Mint. Dentyne Ice uses sorbitol as the sugar substitute.
Pur
Pur gum provides 100% aspartame free sugar free gum, using alternative natural sweeteners like xylitol instead. Their gums come in unique flavors like Pomegranate Mint, Tropical Mango, and Cool Peppermint.
Spry
Spry Gems offer softer sugar free gum options, made with xylitol. Flavors include Cinnamon, Fresh Fruit, and Peppermint.
Mentos Pure Fresh
Mentos Pure Fresh Chewy Mints provide a sugar free gum alternative, with mint flavors like Strong Mint, Mint, and Fruit Mint.
What is the healthiest sugar free gum?
When choosing the healthiest option, look for sugar free gum made with natural, non-GMO sweeteners like:
– Xylitol – Made from birch tree extract, xylitol is a natural sweetener that can actually improve dental health.
– Erythritol – This naturally derived sugar alcohol provides sweetness with minimal side effects.
– Stevia – Extracted from the stevia leaf, this no-calorie sweetener does not raise blood sugar.
– Sorbitol – Derived from fruits, sorbitol is more slowly absorbed than sugar.
– Mannitol – Occurs naturally in fruits and plants, mannitol has 60% the sweetness of sugar.
Many mainstream gums use artificial sweeteners like aspartame or sucralose. While approved for use and generally recognized as safe, some prefer to avoid artificial additives where possible. Pay close attention to ingredient labels when choosing a healthy sugar free gum. Brands like Pur and Spry focus on more natural sweeteners.
Does sugar free gum have any health benefits?
Sugar free gum may offer some potential benefits:
– Oral Health: Chewing gum stimulates saliva flow, which can neutralize mouth acid and prevent tooth decay. Some varieties contain plaque-inhibiting ingredients.
– Dental Care: Increased saliva can limit cavities and food buildup. Some sugar free gums use xylitol, which inhibits streptococcus mutans bacteria.
– Weight Control: Chewing gum can suppress appetite and reduce cravings. The action of chewing also burns a modest amount of calories.
– Smoking Cessation: Gum provides an oral fixation that can help former smokers avoid relapse.
– Concentration: The act of chewing gum may improve alertness, memory, and cognitive performance in certain situations.
– Digestion: By stimulating saliva, gum can aid in neutralizing stomach acid and relieve symptoms of reflux.
Of course, frequent gum chewing can also lead to dental problems like jaw pain, tooth wear, and gum irritation. Moderation is key to receive any related health advantages. Those with sensitive digestion may also want to avoid gum containing sorbitol, which can have a laxative effect.
Is sugar free gum bad for you in any way?
Sugar free gum, consumed in moderation, is generally safe for most people. However, there are a few potential downsides to be aware of:
– Gastrointestinal Effects: Some sugar alcohols like sorbitol and mannitol can cause bloating, gas, and diarrhea when consumed excessively.
– Tooth Damage: Aggressive chewing over time can wear down tooth enamel and lead to cavities. Sticky gum can also pull out dental fillings.
– Dental Pain: Overuse of gum can strain the jaw muscles and cause temporomandibular joint (TMJ) issues.
– Allergies: Gum ingredients like natural latex rubber or artificial sweeteners may cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.
– Choking Hazard: Trying to talk or breathe while chewing gum increases the risk of accidentally inhaling the gum into the airway.
For most people, sugar free gum in moderation offers more benefits than harm. But it’s wise to be mindful of ingredients, chew gently, and avoid excessive daily use to minimize any potential downsides. Those with dental problems, TMJ, or digestive issues should use particular caution.
Does sugar free gum cause cancer?
There is no conclusive evidence that sugar free gum causes cancer. Early studies raised concerns about cancer risk from artificial sweeteners like aspartame and saccharin. However, larger and longer-term human studies have found no clear association between these sweeteners and increased cancer rates.
Both the National Cancer Institute and American Cancer Society have evaluated the research and found no clear causal link between aspartame or other artificial sweeteners and cancer. While a small risk can never be definitively ruled out, mainstream regulatory agencies across the world approve these sugar substitutes as safe for human consumption.
Of course, limiting consumption of all processed foods, including gum, is advised. But there is no specific reason to believe that sugar free gum in moderation contributes to cancer risk based on current research. Anyone concerned should minimize gum chewing or look for products made with natural sugar substitutes. As with any food product ingredient, it’s smart to be informed on the current science when deciding what feels comfortable for you.
Can too much sugar free gum be dangerous?
Consuming extremely high amounts of sugar free gum could potentially cause some adverse health effects:
– Diarrhea: Large doses of sugar alcohols like sorbitol or mannitol have a laxative effect.
– Tooth Wear: Excessive, constant chewing can damage enamel and lead to cavities or chipped teeth.
– Dental Pain: Overuse can strain the temporomandibular joint and jaw muscles.
– Nutritional Issues: Replacing meals with gum could result in nutrient deficiencies long-term.
– Gastrointestinal Problems: High amounts may lead to bloating, gas, and abdominal cramping.
– Allergic Reactions: Some gum additives like natural latex rubber could trigger allergies.
For most people, a few pieces of sugar free gum per day is considered safe. Up to about 5g of sorbitol consumption per day is unlikely to have digestive effects. Those with sensitivities should exercise more caution. Like anything, moderation is key when it comes to minimizing any potential risks of overconsumption. Unless you have been specifically advised to restrict chewing gum for a medical reason, occasional use should not pose any major dangers.
Does sugar free gum expire?
Yes, sugar free gum does have expiration dates and can expire over time on store shelves or in your pantry. How quickly it expires depends on the specific type and ingredients.
Typically, sugar free gum expires within 18-24 months from the manufactured date. However, it may last 3 to 5 years if unopened and stored properly in cool, dry conditions. Once opened, the chewing gum generally lasts about 3 months before going stale.
You can tell gum has expired if the texture becomes overly firm and difficult to chew. It will also lose its flavor. Expired gum base can sometimes become dried out and brittle.
The ingredients most prone to expire and change in gum are flavor oils and softening agents. Exposure to moisture and high temperatures accelerates the expiration process. For maximum freshness, store gum sealed at temperatures below 77°F.
Also check labels for manufacturer date codes, such as Julian dates or “best before” indications, to determine the age of a particular gum package. Discard any opened sugar free gum after 90 days to avoid chewing expired product. If the texture is compromised or flavor seems off, the gum has likely expired, even if unopened.
Does Bubble Yum still make regular sugar gum?
Yes, while Sugar Free Bubble Yum appears discontinued, the original, regular Bubble Yum with sugar is still readily available. The brand continues to produce the recognizable cubes of pink-colored, bubble-gum flavored chewing gum with sugar as the primary sweetener.
The standard Bubble Yum contains around 20-25 grams of sugar per 100g, most of which gets washed away through saliva production during chewing. The regular Bubble Yum gum comes in popular flavors like:
– Original Bubble Yum – The classic bubble gum taste
– Cotton Candy – Sweet, vanilla bubble gum flavor
– Mega Bubble – Designed for even bigger bubbles
– Sour Lemonade – Tangy, sour gum flavor
– Watermelon – Sweet watermelon gum cubes
– Baja Bubble Bash – Tropical fruit flavors
Bubble Yum sugar gum can be found in most convenience stores, supermarkets, and mass retailers that sell chewing gum products. It remains a popular mainstream gum brand, even if the sugar free alternative appears to be discontinued for the time being. Fans of Bubble Yum still have the regular, sugary gum as an option.
What other sugar free gum has been discontinued?
Along with Sugar Free Bubble Yum, there are a few other notable sugar free gums that have been discontinued over the years:
– CareFree Sugarless Gum – Made by Hershey, it was discontinued in the early 2000s
– Freedent Sugar Free Gum – Discontinued in the 1990s, it was made by Wrigley
– Fruit Stripe Sugarless Gum – Discontinued in the early 2000s after decades of popularity
– Hubba Bubba Sugar Free Gum – Discontinued sometime in the 2010s after many years on the market
– Wrigley’s Extra Sugar Free – While still made internationally, the sugar free version of Extra gum was discontinued in the US in 2012
– Dentyne Sugarless Gum – Dentyne no longer makes their own sugar free gum, but other brands offer Dentyne branded sugar free products
– Chiclets Sugar Free Gum – Product of the 1990s, it was eventually discontinued
With consumers increasingly seeking natural ingredients, it’s possible other older sugar free gums were discontinued due to falling demand. However, many popular brands continue offering sugar free gums along with regular sugary varieties. But niche sugar free options do seem to eventually fade away as consumer tastes evolve.
Will Sugar Free Bubble Yum ever come back?
Whether Sugar Free Bubble Yum will eventually return to store shelves is unknown. Since the parent company Mondelēz International has not officially commented on the status of the product, its prospects for a relaunch are unclear.
On one hand, it had remained on the market for decades, suggesting steady sales up until recent times. Bringing back such an established brand could make sense if consumer demand rebounds and the company sees profit potential.
However, Mondelēz may have discontinued it due to declining popularity and lack of consumer interest. If that’s the case, reviving the Sugar Free Bubble Yum brand seems unlikely given the many other gum products they continue to produce and market extensively.
Fans may hold out hope that parent company Cadbury or a smaller distributor could bring back the nostalgic item on a specialty or limited basis. But Mondelēz’s silence regarding any intent to relaunch means Sugar Free Bubble Yum returning remains speculative. Consumers wanting the product back may have no choice but to repeatedly request retailers stock it once again.
Conclusion
While the exact details are uncertain, all signs sadly point to the apparent discontinuation of Sugar Free Bubble Yum gum. The once ubiquitous sugar-free gum variety has slowly vanished from store shelves over the past several years, leaving fans disappointed. However, those longing for the nostalgic flavor can try contacting the manufacturer or searching for old packages being resold online.
Alternatively, switching to other brands like 5, Orbit, or Trident provides comparable sugar free gum options. Though replacing a beloved favorite is never quite the same. There is always the chance Bubble Yum could revive the Sugar Free version again one day if demand is reinvigorated. But for now, stocking up on any remaining packages before they’re gone for good may be the only option for hardcore bubble gum enthusiasts.
