Demand for gum surges as “Ozempic breath” plagues weight loss drug users

Hershey reports rising sales of its gum and mints, which leaders attribute to more people using medications like Wegovy and Ozempic.

During the April 30th earnings call, CEO Kirk Tanner explained that the company is seeing positive results due to changing consumer habits.

Tanner noted that gum and mint sales are doing well, likely because more people are looking for functional snacks, including those using GLP-1 medications. Sales of Ice Breakers, our third best-selling candy brand, rose by over 8% this quarter.

These observations follow the increasing use of drugs like Ozempic for both weight loss and controlling diabetes. According to Hershey’s Tanner, this trend is already impacting their beverage and mint category, with Ice Breakers performing particularly well as a result.

Ice Breakers, our refreshment brand, is gaining popularity, and sales of our gum and mints are strong. We expect it to become a billion-dollar brand.

GLP-1 side effects linked to breath issues

GLP-1 medications work like natural hormones in the body to control blood sugar and reduce appetite, explains the National Academy of Medicine. These drugs are often used to treat Type 2 diabetes and help people lose weight.

Hershey didn’t explain the connection, but some people taking medications like Ozempic have reported a side effect causing bad breath, which may be contributing to increased gum sales.

According to Dr. Neha Lalani, “Ozempic breath” is a term used to describe burps or bad breath that smell like fish, as she explained in a 2024 interview.

Dr. Christopher McGowan explained that bad breath, also known as halitosis, is usually caused by poor oral hygiene. He emphasized that finding what’s causing the odor is the most important step in getting rid of it.

While some people have reported a specific breath odor while taking GLP-1 medications like Ozempic, it’s not a typical side effect. More common issues include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, dizziness, headaches, and a faster heartbeat.

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2026-05-04 17:49