Nicotine Gummies: The Next Big Smoking Cessation Supplement?
The gummy supplement industry is booming. Smoking cessation products are part of a more established market, but the demand for these products also continues to grow. Nicotine gummies, which combine these two categories, present a promising new market for pharmaceutical manufacturers.
For individuals who are quitting or reducing their cigarette use, nicotine gummies provide a tobacco-free nicotine dose.
Gummies are used to satisfy cravings while avoiding cigarettes. Nicotine from gummies comes without smoke inhalation and the harmful chemicals found in cigarettes.
Gummies are the latest smoking cessation aid to hit the mainstream, joining nicotine patches, gum, and e-cigarettes. Compared to traditional cessation products, many consumers find gummies to be a convenient and enjoyable alternative.
If your manufacturing team is considering developing a nicotine gummy supplement, this guide is for you. Let’s discuss the demand for nicotine gummies, how these products are made, and key considerations for manufacturers.
There’s an Enormous Need for Effective Smoking Cessation Solutions
As long as there’s a market for cigarettes, there will be a market for smoking cessation.
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), 68% of smokers would like to quit. In 2018, 55% of smokers made an attempt at quitting, but only 7.5% were successful.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, there was an increase in cigarette sales and a decrease in smokers attempting to quit. In the coming years, that short-term surge in tobacco use should result in more and more smokers seeking out effective cessation aids such as nicotine gummies.
Synthetic Nicotine for Gummies
Nicotine occurs naturally in tobacco. Cigarettes are designed to deliver nicotine to the brain within seconds after an inhalation.
Nicotine gummies use a synthetic product known as “tobacco-free nicotine” (TFN), which is not derived from a tobacco plant.
In gummy form, TFN is consumed free of the harmful chemicals contained in cigarettes. TFN is also tasteless and odorless, making it an ideal ingredient for use in flavored gummies.
How Is Nicotine Added to Gummies?
Gummy manufacturing can be summarized as a two-phase process. First, a slurry is prepared. Then, extra ingredients are added, including active ingredients such as nicotine.
Making the Slurry
First, base ingredients are melted down into a semi-liquid state known as a slurry. The base ingredients in a slurry typically include water, corn syrup, and gelatin. When the desired liquidity and temperature are reached, the slurry is moved into a mixing tank where the final ingredients will be added.
Extra Ingredients
To transform gummies into active ingredient carriers and to create a pleasant taste and appearance, the following ingredients are added:
- Sweeteners
- Coloring agents
- Citric acid (improves texture and pH)
- Active ingredients, such as nicotine
Once the full recipe has been prepared, gummies are ready to be deposited, cooled, and packaged.
Nicotine Gummy Manufacturing: Key Considerations
Gummy manufacturing requires precise ingredient ratios and careful control over the cooking process. Key considerations include water activity levels and cooking temperatures.
Water Activity Levels
Gummies are designed to be slightly moist. However, excessive moisture permits bacterial growth and shortens a gummy’s shelf life.
During gummy manufacturing, water activity levels are closely monitored using a water activity meter. These meters generate measurements in aw units. The desired water activity range for gummies is between 0.55 and 0.70 aw.
Cooking Temperatures
Finding the perfect cooking temperatures for your recipes may require some trial and error. When cooking temps are too low, gummies end up too jelly-like and fail to reach a chewy consistency. On the other hand, if temperatures are too high, gummies end up as hard candies.
Make sure that your active ingredients and your base ingredients are not being cooked at drastically different temperatures. Modify your process and experiment with substitute ingredients until you’re able to consistently produce your gummies with the desired flavor and texture.
Where to Find Manufacturing Equipment for Nicotine Gummies
Gummy Technologies is a team of gummy equipment experts with over 29 years in the pharmaceutical manufacturing equipment industry. Over one billion gummies have already been produced using GummyTech machines.
From our Phoenix, AZ headquarters, we design and develop innovative solutions for the rapidly-expanding gummy industry. We offer ongoing training, education, and technical support for all of our customers.
If your team is interested in adding nicotine gummies to your production line, we can help. View our inventory online or get in touch with us anytime to discuss your goals with one of our gummy equipment experts.