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Ozempic Breath? Gum Sales Rise for Hershey
1 May
Summary
- GLP-1 drug users consume smaller snack portions.
- The drugs may cause bad breath, boosting mint sales.
- Hershey's Ice Breakers gum and mint sales rose 8%.
Hershey is benefiting from an unexpected consumer group: users of GLP-1 weight-loss drugs. According to CEO Kirk Tanner, these appetite-suppressing medications are influencing consumption habits.
While GLP-1 users tend to eat smaller portions, Tanner highlighted a significant increase in demand for gum and mint products. He stated that functional snacking trends, including GLP-1 adoption, are driving this growth. Hershey's Ice Breakers brand, encompassing gum and mints, saw an 8% sales increase during the first quarter.
This rise in mint and gum sales may be linked to a potential side effect of GLP-1 drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy. Some medical professionals suggest these medications can cause bad breath, often referred to as 'Ozempic breath.'
While GLP-1 manufacturers do not list halitosis as an official side effect, and doctors caution it's not a clinical diagnosis, research is ongoing. A Novo Nordisk trial noted 'eructation' (burping) in about 9% of participants, along with nausea and vomiting as more common side effects.
