Hershey says GLP-1s are driving higher gum and mint sales

Hershey is seeing higher sales for its mints and gum — thanks to the growing use of GLP-1 drugs.

“We’ve also seen strong demand for gum and mints, as the category benefits from functional snacking tailwinds, including GLP-1 adoption,” CEO Kirk Tanner said in pre-recorded remarks ahead of the company’s earnings conference call Thursday. “Retails sales for our third-largest confection brand, Ice Breakers, increased over 8% in the quarter.”

While Tanner didn’t specify why the increasing usage of GLP-1 agonists fueled mint and gum sales, some people who take medications like Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro report experiencing halitosis, or bad breath. However, so-called Ozempic breath is not an official listed side effect for the medication.

Dental experts have linked the drugs to dry mouth, likely caused by dehydration and changes to saliva caused by the medication.

Hershey isn’t the only company known for its sweet treats that is reporting a surprising lift in sales from GLP-1 users. Swiss chocolatier Lindt & Spruengli said in March that U.S. sales of premium chocolate rose faster last year among people using the medication than those who weren’t.

And The Magnum Ice Cream Company told investors that data suggests that the growing adoption of GLP-1 drugs will likely boost sales of its more expensive products, like those that come in smaller portions or offer more protein or contain real fruit. It called the trend “the premium treat substitution effect.”

“As consumers using GLP-1s are eliminating [the] low-quality munching categories first, categories like premium chocolate, premium ice cream and protein snacks could gain share in the overall snacking market,” CEO Peter ter Kulve said on the company’s earnings conference call in February.

The boost to Hershey’s sales from breath-freshening mints and gum, as well as a 17% jump in sales of its protein bars, helped the company’s quarterly revenue climb more than 10% in the first quarter. However, shares were down more than 2% in morning trading.