Ice Breakers candy
Confectionery brand by Hershey Company
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ice Breakers is a brand of mints and chewing gum owned by The Hershey Company.
| |
 | |
| Product type | |
|---|---|
| Owner | Hershey Company (2000–) |
| Produced by | Hershey Company |
| Country | United States |
| Related brands | |
| Markets | Worldwide |
| Previous owners | Nabisco (1996–2000)[1] |
| Tagline |
|
| Website | ice-breakers |
Its line of soft, cube-shaped gum is branded as Ice Cubes.[2]
History
Ice Breakers was launched in the 1990s[3] by Nabisco Holding's LifeSaver division in order to compete with similar mint brands.[4][5] Hershey purchased Ice Breakers from Nabisco in 2000 for $135 million in a deal that also included mint and chewing gum brands like Bubble Yum, Breath Savers, CareFree and Stickfree.[6] Ice Breakers began showing growth following the acquisition by Hershey.[7]
In 2006, it was reported that Hershey had the third largest share of the chewing-gum market and it viewed Ice Breakers as a means of expanding its share.[8] As of 2014, it was reported that overall chewing-gum sales were in decline. It was thought by some economy experts to be due to the economy at the time and a larger variety of choices outside of chewing gum.[9] In 2016, it was reported that Ice Breaker's sales of its Ice Cubes product had increased from 2015.[10]
Products and promotions
Ice Breakers manufactures and sells mint and chewing gum products including cool mints, peppermint chews and soft, cube-shaped gum branded as Ice Cubes.[2] In 2003, Ice Breakers launched Liquid Ice, a liquid filled mint. An advertising and PR campaign that centered around Jessica Simpson was also launched to promote the product.[11] In 2004, the company released its dual-pack gum and mints. Later that year, Ice Breakers signed Hilary and Haylie Duff as the brand's spokeswomen.[11]
In April 2018, Ice Breakers launched an edible glitter-sprinkled gum that they hoped would appeal to Millennials.[12][13]
The company has also sponsored athletes including NASCAR driver Kevin Harvick[14] and the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association (USSA).[15]
Ice Breakers Frost mints were discontinued in September 2022. [16]
Product controversy
In 2007, Hershey released Ice Breakers PACS, wherein a powdery mint mixture was encased by two blue dissolving layers. It received national attention for its resemblance to street narcotics.[17] Hershey denied the resemblance but pulled the product out of the market shortly thereafter.[18]
Ice Breakers gum was banned in the Kuwaiti market due to containing pig gelatin
Health Pros and Cons
Some benefits from using Ice Breakers Ice Product Ice Cubes are calorie reduction in diets, improvement in dental health, and control in blood sugar levels. Based on a controversial study which stated that ingredients in Ice Cubes like Aspartame and Sucralose are said to increase the consumers chance of cancer. [19]
