Packages of Ice Breakers Spearmint mints are displayed at a Costco wholesale store on April 27, 2025 in San Diego, California.
Kevin Carter getty images
hershey The increased use of GLP-1 drugs is seeing higher sales of its mints and gums.
“We also saw strong demand for gum and mints, as the category benefits from functional snacking tailwinds, including the adoption of GLP-1,” CEO Kirk Tanner said in pre-recorded comments ahead of the company’s earnings conference call Thursday. “Retail sales of our third-largest confection brand, Ice Breakers, grew more than 8% in the quarter.”
While Tanner did not specify why the increased use of GLP-1 agonists boosted sales of peppermints and gums, some people who take drugs such as Ozempic, Vegovy and Monjaro experience halitosis or bad breath. However, the so-called ozempic breath There are no officially listed side effects for the drug.
dental specialist The medications have been linked to dry mouth, possibly caused by dehydration and changes in saliva caused by the medication.
Hershey’s isn’t the only company known for its sweet treats that is reporting a surprising increase in sales from GLP-1 users. Swiss chocolate maker Lindt & Spruengli said in March that sales of U.S. premium chocolate grew faster last year among people who were using the drug than among those who were not.
And Magnum Ice Cream Co. told investors that data suggests increased acceptance of GLP-1 drugs will boost sales of its more expensive products, such as those that come in smaller portions or provide more protein or contain real fruit. It called this trend the “premium treatment substitution effect”.
“As consumers using GLP-1 are eliminating lower-quality chew categories first, categories such as 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.
A boost in Hershey’s sales of breath-freshening mints and gum, along with a 17% increase in sales of its protein bars, helped the company’s quarterly revenue grow more than 10% in the first quarter. However, shares were down more than 2% in morning trading.
