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Gum, Mints Take Hit as Socializing Stops

Have Americans stopped caring about their breath?

Americans have become less concerned with the freshness of their breath.

The chewing gum industry may be the latest pandemic casualty as COVID-19 has limited social gatherings. Hershey Co. has reported that its gum and mints segment has taken a hit throughout the pandemic.

Hershey CEO Michele Buck recently told shareholders that gum and mints sales were down as much as 50% over the past few weeks.

But it’s not been all bad news for Hershey. Buck says Hershey’s baking chips, syrup and cocoa have all seen sales increases as high as 30% as families have been home baking.

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