| abstract |
A smokeless tobacco product configured for insertion into the mouth of a user of the product is provided, the tobacco product (10) including a water-permeable pouch (12) containing a tobacco formulation, the tobacco formulation including a tobacco material (14) and a plurality of microcapsules (16) dispersed within the tobacco material, the plurality of microcapsules including an outer shell encapsulating an internal payload. The internal payload may include an additive such as water, flavorants, binders, colorants, pH adjusters, buffering agents, fillers, disintegration aids, humectants, antioxidants, oral care ingredients, preservatives, additives derived from herbal or botanical sources, and mixtures thereof. The invention also provides processes for preparing a tobacco composition suitable for use as a smokeless tobacco composition, the processes including a heat treatment step for pasteurization of the tobacco composition. |