Is it ultra-processed?
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Is Mentos Spearmint Gum ultra-processed?

56g Sugar-free chewing gum Sold in the United Kingdom

Pack of Mentos Spearmint Gum

Yes, it's ultra-processed

  1. 1 Unprocessed
  2. 2 Kitchen staple
  3. 3 Processed
  4. 4 Ultra-processed

Signs of ultra-processing in its ingredients:

  • 17 ingredients
  • 9 additives

Less processed confectioneries

Less processed isn't automatically healthier, so compare the labels for what matters to you, such as sugar or salt.

Ingredients

Ultra-processing Processing signs are highlighted

maltitol, sorbitol, xylitol, manitol maltitol syrup, aspartame, acesulfame k, gum base, flavering maltodextrin, glycerol, emulsifier, soya lecithin thickener (cellulose gum), starch, glazing agent, carnauba wax antioxidant (e321), excess consumption may produce laxative effects

Additives: E321 Butylated hydroxytoluene , E420 Sorbitol , E422 Glycerol , E466 Sodium carboxy methyl cellulose , E950 Acesulfame k , E951 Aspartame , E965 Maltitol , E965ii Maltitol syrup , E967 Xylitol

As written on the pack

sweeteners (maltitol, sorbitol, xylitol, manitol maltitol syrup, aspartame, acesulfame k), gum base, flavering maltodextrin, stabiliser (glycerol), emulsifier (soya lecithin thickener (cellulose gum), starch, glazing agent (carnauba wax antioxidant (e321), contains a source of phenylalanine, excess consumption may produce laxative effects,

What makes it ultra-processed

Cosmetic additives

Added to change how the food looks, feels or tastes, not to keep it safe. A hallmark of ultra-processed food.

  • E420 Sorbitol Sorbitol is a sugar alcohol used as a sweetener and to keep products moist.
  • E422 Glycerol Glycerol is a sweet-tasting liquid used to keep products moist and soft.
  • E466 Sodium carboxy methyl cellulose Carboxymethyl cellulose is a thickener made by chemically modifying cellulose from wood or cotton.
  • E950 Acesulfame k Acesulfame K is a synthetic sweetener about 200 times sweeter than sugar, often combined with aspartame or sucralose.
  • E951 Aspartame Aspartame is a synthetic sweetener about 200 times sweeter than sugar, used in diet drinks and sugar-free products.
  • E965 Maltitol Maltitol is a sugar alcohol made from starch, used as a sweetener in "no added sugar" sweets and chocolate.
Show 3 more
  • E967 Xylitol Emulsifiers are substances which make it possible to form or maintain a homogenous mixture of two or more immiscible phases such as oil and water in a foodstuff.
  • Emulsifier Emulsifiers keep fat and water from separating, giving products a smooth, stable texture over a long shelf life.
  • Glazing agent Glazing agents, waxes and shellac for example, coat a surface to make it shiny or stop pieces sticking together.
2 ingredients that would only make it processed

Kitchen staples like sugar, salt and oil. On their own they make a food processed, not ultra-processed.

  • Starch Starch extracted from cereals or potatoes, used to thicken.
  • Sweet snacks Products in the category "Sweet snacks" are at least group 3.

How the NOVA groups work

Among 76 sugar-free chewing gum

From least to most processed, this one ranks 30th. 99% of the sugar-free chewing gum here are ultra-processed.

Ranked by NOVA group, then by the number of ultra-processing signs, additives and ingredients. Our ordering, not part of NOVA.

All 76 sugar-free chewing gum, least processed first

About this information

  • Data from this product on Open Food Facts (barcode 80977254, last edited 19 September 2026), available under the Open Database License. If something is wrong or the recipe has changed, you can correct it there.
  • Photo: Open Food Facts contributors, CC BY-SA 3.0.
  • The NOVA group is an automated estimate from crowdsourced data: a missing or mistyped ingredient can change it.
  • General information, not medical or dietary advice. Check the pack if you have an allergy.