gum

A little while ago, I mentioned that Orbit gum would be adding new flavors. Well, they've finally hit the market. Have you seen Orbit Sangria Fresca in your neighborhood? — Sugar Savvy

This morning Mars Inc — makers of M&Ms, Snickers, Skittles, and more — announced that it would buy gum manufacturer Wrigley for $23 billion. If you recall, the Wrigley company recently announced new packaging and flavors, in order to help sluggish gum sales.

The deal will create the world's largest confectionary company, and could possibly force Hershey's and Cadbury to join forces — there's been previous rumors of these two combining in the past.

The Wrigley portion of the company will continue to run as an independent unit, and it will be helmed by current Chairman Bill Wrigley. The deal is seen as a win-win on both parts, as Wrigley will now have a bigger infrastructure to help them with marketing and distribution. The interesting foodie tidbit is that current nonchocolate Mars brands — Starburst, Skittles, etc. — will now become part of the Wrigley portfolio.

So tell me, what do you think of these two powerhouses joining forces? Do you care if it is one giant company? Do you think it will affect the way the candy tastes?

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Since I openly oppose gum chewing in the first place (smack smack), I find it quite frustrating when gum makes its way to my clothing, the soles of my shoes, or other fabrics in my house. My sister once wound up chopping off a chunk of her locks to rid herself of the goo — let's just say it wasn't a pretty sight, but she did her best to make it glam. Sticky and stubborn, gum is nearly impossible to remove by washing as usual.That's why I was so happy to learn a quick tip for removing it! All you need to do to get that gucky Double Bubble, Trident, or what-have-you out of your clothing or household textiles is brush it, using an old toothbrush, with egg white; let it sit for about 15 minutes, and then wash as usual. To get it out of your hair, hold ice cubes in a bag to it until it hardens, and then break it away. Or, massage it with some nontoxic oil (canola, olive oil), leave it for 20 minutes, and then comb it out.
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Call me old-fashioned, but I enjoy the little five-stick packs of gum. They're small and easy to carry, and apparently, on their way out. Yep, they're going the way of the dinosaur thanks to a new move by the Wrigley company. Instead of the simple five-stick rectangular packs, consumers will now be able to purchase sleek and slim envelopes of gum. The slimmer design is part of an effort to revive poor US sales. The packaging has been designed to attract teens and young adults — the folks who chew the most gum.

In addition to new packaging, they're also enhancing the flavors of their gum. The Doublemint, Juicy Fruit, Big Red, and Extra lines are all going to be reformulated to include "significant flavor improvements." They also plan on releasing a new line of gum called Fruit Sensations. The flavors will include Strawberry Banana, Berry Pearadise, Island Cooler, and Sweet Watermelon.

Meanwhile, their Orbit line — which is already slim packed and a hit with consumers — will also get a few new flavors including Sangria Fresca, Fabulous Fruitini, and Fruit Sorbet.

So tell me, do the new flavors interest you? How about the new packaging? Will it sway your gum-buying habits?

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I know we were all a bit put off by the shameless gum plug last week on The Biggest Loser, but it turns out that chewing gum is not such a bad idea to curb snacking.

Recent research found that chewing gum before an afternoon snack helped reduce hunger, diminish cravings and promote fullness among individuals who limit their overall calorie intake. Further more, chewing gum reduced caloric intake from snacks by 25 calories.

Fit's Tip: I don't want your dentist coming after me, so try and stick to sugar free gum.

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It seems like just about every product having to do with your mouth shouts the word "whitening" all over it. Gums, toothpastes, mouthwashes, and whitening kits are available to make your pearly whites even whiter. Who doesn't want gleaming white teeth, right? The question is, how safe are these products?

When used as directed, these products are safe and cause minimal side effects. Although, common complaints do include tooth sensitivity and gum irritation.

Since teeth whiteners are not drugs, you should know that the FDA does NOT monitor them. Some products have the ADA (American Dental Association) Seal of Acceptance, which means that they have met ADA guidelines for safety and effectiveness. Only a few whitening products contain this seal, and manufacturers have to voluntarily seek acceptance.

However, only whitening toothpastes, mouthwashes and gum can receive this approval. You won't find whitening kits on their list since the ADA strongly feels that professional consultation is important to ensuring safe and effective use.

Just because a whitening product doesn't have the ADA Seal, doesn't mean it's necessarily unsafe. What things should you look for when buying an over the counter whitening kit? To find out read more

• Be sure to check out what Anthony Bourdain has to say about Rachael Ray and her Dunkin Donuts endorsement. — FitSugar
• If you're looking for a Halloween dessert idea, this Chocolate Spiderweb Tart is sure to be a spooky hit. — Baking Bites
• Your luck is about take a turn for the worse. Bad luck fortunes have somehow made their way into Wonton Food's cookies. — Serious Eats
• Do you love or hate these chandeliers and sofas made from wine jugs? — CasaSugar
• Scientists are saying that gum swallowing isn't as terrible as we thought. — Slashfood
• Pumpkin season has arrived, get a whole slew of great pumpkin recipes and get started. — iVillage



• Illy Coffee has designed a cafe in a box that unfolds at the push of a button. — Will Work for Food
• Are organic cows happy cows? — Culinate
• You have to wonder, is Greek food the new Italian food? — Chow

Speaking of gum, the folks at New York magazine taste-tested 132 kinds of gum. The folks from WD-50 — who know a thing or two about gums — were on hand to help out. — New York Magazine via Serious Eats