| abstract |
The present invention relates to a method of preparing a stabilized sweetener ingredient containing aspartame, a stabilized aspartame sweetener ingredient for use in chewing gum, and a chewing gum composition containing the stabilized aspartame sweetener ingredient. The aspartame is blended with specific amounts of water, inorganic acid and an encapsulating agent to form a homogeneous mixture. The mixture is dried to form the sweetener ingredient. The sweetener ingredient is relatively stable and unreactive in the presence of cinnamon and other aldehyde-based flavoring agents. |