Mints from A – Z
By Jeanne Yacoubou, MS

Mints A-Z Table See:
http://www.vrg.org/ingredients/doc/mint_table_final_3.pdf
In the Comments section of the accompanying Mint Table A-Z there are links to company webpages most of which contain ingredient information.

We have chosen links that are the fastest way to access ingredient information although it may take some further navigation from the given links to get there. Readers may have to click on the product’s image, scroll down the page, or open one of the following from the listed link (since they didn’t have their own designated link): FAQ, Ingredient Information, Nutrition Information or similar tabs in order to access ingredient lists.

In several instances where company websites did not indicate ingredients, we have provided links to retailer sites which do provide ingredient statements. If a link to ingredient information directs to a third-party website, The Vegetarian Resource Group contacted the company that owns the particular mint brand to confirm ingredient sources with that company.

The VRG also read labels in stores or reviewed photos of the ingredient labels on mint packages using Google® Images. This ingredient information is included in the Table.

Of all the canvassed companies only one never responded despite numerous attempts by email, website contact form and phone. Two responded with incomplete information to our numerous requests. We asked a couple of friends of VRG to call or write as independent consumers from their own computers, email accounts and phones in order to see if these companies would reply to them. Our friends also received no response or an insufficient response.

Although some of the brands are manufactured by companies headquartered in other countries, almost all are available for purchase in American stores or online by U.S.-based retailers.

A note about foreign companies: All of the companies which either never responded or supplied only incomplete information are headquartered in foreign countries. Those foreign companies with American offices were also contacted at their U.S. locations to no avail. However, several foreign companies writing from abroad and/or from their U.S. offices were very helpful in providing ingredient source information about their mint products.

As with all food and beverage products, companies may change ingredient formulations based on supply, taste or consumer demand. Always consult the product’s label to be sure of what is in a particular package. Call the company when in doubt and be ready to provide the product’s SKU number. We have tried to provide links to all of the mints’ ingredient labels. At the time of this writing in February 2016 the links are current.

Background Information

Here’s a How It’s Made segment that takes viewers inside a mint manufacturing plant. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QstxI4NJl_E

For more background information on mint production: http://www.thefoodindustrydigest.com/food-market-segments/food-market-segments-2/candy-market/mint-candy-information/

For information on the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) mint ingredient specifications, see section 5.3.11: http://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/CID%20Candy%20and%20Chocolate%20Confections.pdf

See part one of this article at : http://www.vrg.org/blog/2016/02/23/stearic-acid-and-stearates-in-mints-almost-all-vegetable-sourced-part-1-of-3/

See part two of this article at: http://www.vrg.org/blog/2016/03/01/stearic-acid-and-stearates-in-mints-almost-all-vegetable-sourced-part-2-of-3-by-jeanne-yacoubou-ms/

See the Mint A-Z Table at: http://www.vrg.org/ingredients/doc/mint_table_final_3.pdf

The contents of this posting, our website, and our other publications, including The Vegetarian Journal, are not intended to provide personal medical advice. Medical advice should be obtained from a qualified health professional. We often depend on product and ingredient information from company statements. It is impossible to be 100% sure about a statement, info can change, people have different views, and mistakes can be made. Please use your best judgment about whether a product is suitable for you. To be sure, do further research or confirmation on your own.

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The contents of this website and our other publications, including The Vegetarian Journal, are not intended to provide personal medical advice. Medical advice should be obtained from a qualified health professional. We often depend on product and ingredient information from company statements. It is impossible to be 100% sure about a statement, info can change, people have different views, and mistakes can be made. Please use your best judgment about whether a product is suitable for you. To be sure, do further research or confirmation on your own. – See more at: http://www.vrg.org/blog/2015/05/29/how-often-do-americans-eat-vegetarian-meals-and-how-many-adults-in-the-u-s-are-vegetarian-2/#sthash.NyOofMEC.dpuf

The contents of this website and our other publications, including The Vegetarian Journal, are not intended to provide personal medical advice. Medical advice should be obtained from a qualified health professional. We often depend on product and ingredient information from company statements. It is impossible to be 100% sure about a statement, info can change, people have different views, and mistakes can be made. Please use your best judgment about whether a product is suitable for you. To be sure, do further research or confirmation on your own. – See more at: http://www.vrg.org/blog/2015/05/29/how-often-do-americans-eat-vegetarian-meals-and-how-many-adults-in-the-u-s-are-vegetarian-2/#sthash.NyOofMEC.dpuf