Method for preparing pulverized polydextrose which is substantially free of acids and compositions containing same

A sugarless chewing gum composition which comprises:

• (A) a major amount of a gum base;
• (B) a pulverized Polydextrose composition, which is substantially free of low molecular weight organic acids and which has a particle size of under about 125 microns in diameter;
• and
• (C) a softening agent;
• (D) a sweetening agent;
• and
• (E) a flavoring agent;
• wherein the pulverized Polydextrose composition is prepared by a method which comprises the steps of:
• (a) admixing Polydextrose which is substantially free of low molecular weight organic acids with an anti-caking agent to form a mixture;
• and
• (b) pulverizing the mixture from step (a) to form the pulverized Polydextrose composition.

A method for preparing a sugarless chewing gum composition which comprises the steps of:

• (1) providing the following ingredients:
• (A) a major amount of a gum base;
• (B) a bulking agent comprising pulverized Polydextrose, which is substantially free of low molecular weight organic acids and which has a particle size of under about 125 microns in diameter;
• (C) a softening agent;
• (D) a sweetening agent;
• and
• (E) a flavoring agent;
• (2) heating the gum base to a temperature from about 60.degree. C. to about 120.degree. C.;
• (3) admixing the softening agent, sweetening agent, flavoring agent and bulking agent to the mixture of step (2) to form a uniform mixture;
• (4) allowing the uniform mixture to cool;
• and
• (5) forming the mixture into a chewing gum product.