Chewing gum with improved storage qualities

Abstract

This invention relates to a chewing gum composition which comprises gum base, sweetener, flavor and xylitol. The xylitol is contained in the gum in amounts less than 50% by weight of the total gum composition, the xylitol being effective to extend the storage stability of the gum.

We claim: 
     
       1. In a sugar sweetened chewing gum composition which comprises gum base, flavor and sugar wherein the improvement comprises adding xylitol to the chewing gum composition in amounts less than .[.50%.]. .Iadd.10% .Iaddend.by weight of total gum composition which is effective to extend the storage stability of the gum. .[.2. The chewing gum composition of claim 1 wherein the amount of xylitol is less than 45% by weight of the total gum composition..]. .[.3. The chewing gum composition of claim 1 wherein the amount of xylitol is less than 40% by weight of the total gum composition..]. .[.4. The chewing gum composition of claim 1 wherein the amount of xylitol is less than 35% by weight of the total gum composition..]. .[.5. The chewing gum composition of claim 1 wherein the amount of xylitol is less than 30% by weight of the total gum composition..]. .[.6. The chewing gum composition of claim 1 wherein the amount of xylitol is less than 25% by weight of the total gum composition..]. .[.7. The chewing gum composition of claim 1 wherein the amount of xylitol is less than 20% by weight of the total gum composition..]. .[.8. The chewing gum composition of claim 1 wherein the amount of xylitol is less than 15% by weight of the total gum composition..]. .[.9. The chweing gum composition of claim 1 wherein the amount of xylitol is less than 10% by weight of the total gum 
     
     
        composition..]. 10. The chewing gum composition of claim 1 wherein the amount of xylitol is less than 5% by weight of the total gum composition. .[.11. The chewing gum composition of claim 1 wherein the amount of xylitol is less than 1% by weight of the total gum composition..]..Iadd. 12. The chewing gum composition of claim 1, wherein the amount of xylitol is from 1 to 3.2 percent by weight of the total gum composition. .Iaddend.