The Core Ingredients in Fruit Stripe Chewing Gum
The ingredient list for the classic Fruit Stripe gum reveals a familiar combination of components found in many chewing gums. The primary constituents create the gum's structure, sweetness, and iconic five-flavor fruit punch sensation. It is important to distinguish the gum from the similarly branded Fruit Stripe gummy candies, which had a different formula.
Sweeteners and Base
The gum's initial burst of flavor comes from its sweeteners, which are designed to dissolve rapidly upon chewing. The list includes:
- Sugar: Provides the primary sweetness.
- Corn Syrup: A liquid sweetener that also helps keep the gum pliable.
- Gum Base: This non-digestible ingredient provides the chewable rubber-like substance that gives gum its elasticity.
Flavorings and Acids
The flavors of Fruit Stripe—including Wet 'n Wild Melon, Cherry, Lemon, Orange, and Peach Smash—are not derived exclusively from natural fruit but are a mix of both natural and artificial sources.
- Natural and Artificial Flavors: These flavor compounds give each strip its distinct fruit taste. As these are water-soluble, they dissolve quickly in saliva, leading to the gum's famously short-lived flavor.
- Malic Acid and Citric Acid: These acids provide a tart and sour taste that enhances the fruit flavors.
Artificial Colors and Emulsifiers
To achieve its vivid, colorful stripes, Fruit Stripe relied on several artificial colorants.
- Titanium Dioxide: This coloring agent gives the gum a bright white base.
- Yellow 5 Lake, Blue 1 Lake, Red 40 Lake: These specific artificial colorants were used to create the gum's famous rainbow stripes.
- Soy Lecithin: An emulsifier derived from soybeans, it helps to blend the various ingredients smoothly and contributes to the gum's texture.
A Look at the Sugar-Free and Gummy Versions
Over its history, Fruit Stripe also produced other product variations, each with a different set of ingredients. The sugar-free version was released in the late 2000s, and a gummy candy was launched (and subsequently discontinued) shortly before the gum's permanent removal from the market.
| Ingredient Category | Original Fruit Stripe Gum | Sugar-Free Fruit Stripe Gum | Fruit Stripe Gummies |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sweeteners | Sugar, Corn Syrup | Sorbitol, Maltitol, Mannitol, Aspartame, Acesulfame-k | Corn Syrup, Sugar, Apple Juice Concentrate |
| Flavoring | Natural and Artificial Flavors, Malic Acid, Citric Acid | Natural and Artificial Flavors, Malic Acid, Citric Acid | Natural and Artificial Flavor, Citric Acid, Lactic Acid, Acetic Acid |
| Colors | Artificial Colors (Titanium Dioxide, Yellow 5 Lake, etc.), Soy Lecithin | Artificial Colors (Titanium Dioxide, Yellow 5 Lake, etc.), Soy Lecithin | Titanium Dioxide, Red 40, Yellow 5 |
| Base/Binders | Gum Base | Gum Base | Gelatin, Modified Potato Starch |
| Other | - | Glycerine, Glycerol | Vegetable Oil (Coconut, Palm), Carnauba Wax, Sodium Citrate |
The Role of Ingredients in Flavor Duration
Fruit Stripe was famous for its intense, but notoriously brief, flavor. This phenomenon is a direct consequence of its ingredient composition. The sweeteners and flavorings used in chewing gum are water-soluble and designed to dissolve quickly in saliva. Because the flavor is delivered so rapidly, it dissipates fast, leaving only the neutral, non-soluble gum base. While some competitors use encapsulated or less-soluble flavor crystals to extend flavor release, Fruit Stripe's formula favored an immediate, powerful flavor experience over longevity.
Conclusion
The ingredients in the classic Fruit Stripe gum, a blend of sugar, corn syrup, natural and artificial flavors, acids, and artificial colors, defined its character. Although it contained a mix of common food additives, the specific formulation created a candy that was a childhood favorite for decades. The gum's well-known, albeit brief, flavor was a direct result of its water-soluble flavoring and sweetener ingredients. Now that the gum has been retired by the Ferrara Candy Company, it remains a nostalgic reminder of the temporary burst of flavor that was its trademark. More on Fruit Stripe's history.
Disclaimer: This article discusses the ingredients of a discontinued product based on publicly available information. Ingredient formulations can change over time.
