Everyone knows the iconic Tic Tac breath mint container, the one that snaps open with a flick of your finger. The small, pill-shaped mints are popular everywhere and come in a wide variety of flavors, from sweet and minty to fruity, or even spicy.
Tic Tac Breath Mints are gluten-free. The small, iconic boxes that contain the mints do not bear the gluten-free symbol, but the company states clearly on the website that the mints are gluten-free. This applies to all Tic Tac flavors. The best gluten-free and healthier alternatives to Tic Tac Mints are PUR Mints and Spry Natural Berry Blast Mints.
In this article we’ll explain the disadvantages to the artificial sweetener aspartame and gluten-free label laws. We will also investigate the ingredients in Tic Tac breath mints and discover some healthy alternatives to the sweet mints. Let’s dig in!
Contents
History of Tic Tac
To visit the birth of Tic Tac, you have to take a visit to Italy in 1969. That’s when the Italian company Ferrero produced the very first breath mint under the name “Refreshing Mints”. That name changed to Tic Tac in 1970. They had the iconic hinge lid from the start, the one that pops when you flip it open. The company started with one flavor – mint, but soon started producing others like Orange. Now the breath mints are available in dozens of flavors in more than 100 countries, flavors including holiday lines and collaborations with companies like Cocoa Cola.
Are Tic Tac Mints Healthy?
Tic Tac mints contain a very small amount of ingredients. Dietitians say that, in moderation, they are an acceptable addition to a healthy and balanced diet. Tic Tac mints not very high in sugar and some varieties contain zero sugar. Those varieties are sweetened with xylitol instead of aspartame. Most of the flavors are free from the eight major allergens and they are very low in calories and in fat.
Are Tic Tac mints high in sugar?
If you glance at the nutrition label and ingredients list on Tic Tac mints, most of them won’t show sugar. That’s because the FDA doesn’t require sugar to be labeled if less than 0.5 grams are present in one serving.
Are there harmful chemicals in Tic Tac mints?
While many sugar-free mints are sweetened with the artificial sweetener aspartame, Tic Tac’s sugar-free versions are not. Aspartame has been shown to cause headaches and other problems in some studies. Tic Tac sweetens its sugar-free varieties with xylitol.
Should You Avoid Aspartame?
Aspartame is the world’s most popular artificial sweetener, but some studies have shown that this chemical can lower the immune system and increase inflammation. Other symptoms of aspartame include the possibility of throwing off the balance of chemicals in your brain, could lead to cancer and Alzheimer’s disease, and could contribute to strokes, seizures and dementia.
Why Are Some Products Not Labeled Gluten-Free?
There are many products on the market that are not labeled gluten-free and are not tested for gluten. FDA requires that if a product claims to be “gluten-free” on the packaging, then it must contain less than 20 parts per million of gluten. That rule does not apply to labels like “wheat-free”. Check the ingredients on product labels, even products that are labeled “gluten-free” to ensure they will meet your dietary requirements. Tic Tac products are one of those that are not labeled gluten-free. But, clearly on the website, Tic Tac says the mints are gluten-free.
Tic Tac Nutritional Information
Tic Tac Fresh Mint Flavor
Ingredients:
- Sugar
- Maltodextrin
- Rice Starch
- Gum Arabic
- Natural and Artificial Flavors
- Magnesium Stearate
- Carnauba Wax
Nutrition Facts (per 1 piece/.49 g. serving):
- Calories – 1.0
- Total Carbohydrates – 0 g
- Total Fat – 0 g / 0%
- Sodium – 0 mg / 0%
- Sugars – 0 g
- Protein – 0 g
Tic Tac Wintergreen Flavor
Ingredients:
- Sugar
- Maltodextrin
- Rice Starch
- Gum Arabic
- Natural and Artificial Flavors
- Magnesium Stearate
- Carnauba Wax
- Yellow 5, Blue 1
Nutrition Facts (per 1 piece/.49 g. serving):
- Calories – 1.0
- Total Carbohydrates – 0 g
- Total Fat – 0 g / 0%
- Sodium – 0 mg / 0%
- Sugars – 0 g
- Protein – 0 g
Tic Tac Orange Flavor
Ingredients:
- Sugar
- Maltodextrin
- Tartaric Acid
- Natural and Artificial Flavors
- Rice Starch
- Gum Arabic
- Magnesium Stearate
- Ascorbic Acid
- Yellow 6
- Carnauba Wax
Nutrition Facts (per 1 piece/.49 g. serving):
- Calories – 1.9
- Total Carbohydrates – 0 g
- Total Fat – 0 g / 0%
- Sodium – 0 mg / 0%
- Sugars – 0 g
- Protein – 0 g
Tic Tac Fruit Adventure Flavor
Ingredients:
- Sugar
- Dextrin
- Gum Arabic
- Tartaric Acid
- Rice Starch
- Natural and Artificial Flavors
- Malic Acid
- Magnesium Stearate
- Citric Acid
- Dried Acerola Extract
- Dried Green Apple
- Carnauba Wax
- Asorbic Acid
- Yellow 6, Yellow 5, Red 40, Blue 1
Nutrition Facts (per 1 piece/.49 g. serving):
- Calories – 1.0
- Total Carbohydrates – 0 g
- Total Fat – 0 g / 0%
- Sodium – 0 mg / 0%
- Sugars – 0 g
- Protein – 0 g
Certified Gluten-Free Tic Tac Breath Mint Alternatives
PUR Mints
These packages of mints are labeled gluten-free, sugar-free and aspartame-free. They come in a package of 50 mints and are also labeled peanut-free.
Ingredients:
- Xylitol
- Maize Dextrin
- Natural Mint Flavoring
Nutrition Facts (per 1 piece/1.1 g serving):
- Calories – 3
- Total Carbohydrates – 1.1 g
- Total Fat – 0 g / 0%
- Sodium – 0 mg / 0%
- Dietary Fiber – 0 g / 0%
- Sugars – 0 g
- Protein – 0 g
Spry Natural Berry Blast Mints
These sweet, fruity mints are certified gluten-free, vegan and non-GMO.
Ingredients:
- Xylitol
- Calcium Lactate
- Magnesium Stearate
- Gum Arabic
- Natural Flavor (raspberry and blackberry essence)
- Carnauba Wax
Nutrition Facts (per 1 piece/0.6 g. serving):
- Calories – 1.2
- Total Carbohydrates – 0.5 g
- Total Fat – 0 g / 0%
- Sodium – 0 mg / 0%
- Dietary Fiber – 0 g / 0%
- Sugars – 0 g
- Protein – 0 g
St. Claire’s Organics Spearmints
Ingredients:
- Molasses Granules
- Evaporated Cane Juice
- Spearmint Essential Oil
Nutrition Facts (per 2 piece/1.78 g. serving):
- Calories – 6
- Total Carbohydrates – 1.5 g
- Total Fat – 0 g / 0%
- Sodium – 0 mg / 0%
- Dietary Fiber – 0 g / 0%
- Sugars – 1.5 g
- Protein – 0 g
VerMints Peppermint Breath Mints
These mints come in a variety of flavors that are all certified gluten-free, vegan, non-GMO and organic. They are packaged in tins that can be reused, later.
Ingredients:
- Crystalized Cane Juice
- Tapioca Syrup
- Natural Peppermint Oil
- Peppermint Leaves
- Vermont Maple Syrup
- Agar
- Gum Tragacanth
Nutrition Facts (per 3 mints/2 g. serving):
- Calories – 10
- Total Carbohydrates – 1 g
- Total Fat – 0 g / 0%
- Sodium – 0 mg / 0%
- Dietary Fiber – 0 g / 0%
- Sugars – 1 g
- Protein – 0 g
YumEarth Organic Wild Peppermint Hard Candies
These fresh, minty candies are certified gluten-free and vegan and are labeled allergen-friendly.
Ingredients:
- Cane Sugar
- Brown Rice Syrup
- Natural Flavors
- Peppermint Oils
Nutrition Facts (per 5 pieces/17 g. serving):
- Calories – 60
- Total Carbohydrates – 15 g
- Total Fat – 0 g / 0%
- Sodium – 0 mg / 0%
- Dietary Fiber – 0 g / 0%
- Sugars – 12 g
- Protein – 0 g
Other Healthy Hi-Chew Alternatives
LifeSavers Wint O Green Mints
These gummies are not labeled gluten-free, but contain non-gluten ingredients.
Ingredients:
- Sugar
- Corn Syrup
- Artificial Flavor
- Stearic Acid
Nutrition Facts (per 1 mint/3.5 g. serving):
- Calories – 15
- Total Carbohydrates – 3 g
- Total Fat – 0 g / 0%
- Sodium – 0 mg / 0%
- Dietary Fiber – 0 g / 0%
- Sugars – 3 g
- Protein – 0 g
Altoids Peppermint Mints
These packages of mints are not labeled gluten-free, but they contain no gluten ingredients.
Ingredients:
- Sugar
- Gum Arabic
- Natural Flavor (oil of peppermint)
- Gelatin
Nutrition Facts (per 3 pieces/2 g serving):
- Calories – 10
- Total Carbohydrates – 0 g
- Total Fat – 0 g / 0%
- Sodium – 0 mg / 0%
- Dietary Fiber – 0 g / 0%
- Sugars – 2 g
- Protein – 0 g
Buc-ee’s Sugar Free Cotton Candy Flavored Breath Mints
These packages of mints are labeled gluten-free and vegan.
Ingredients:
- Sorbitol
- Natural and Artificial Flavors
- Calcium Stearate
- Sucralose
Nutrition Facts (per 1 piece/.7 g serving):
- Calories – 0
- Total Carbohydrates – 0.5 g
- Total Fat – 0 g / 0%
- Sodium – 0 mg / 0%
- Dietary Fiber – 0 g / 0%
- Sugars – 0 g
- Protein – 0 g
SEN CHA Green Tea Mints
These herbal, Moroccan mint infused breath mints are certified gluten-free and are made with whole leaf green tea.
Ingredients:
- Sorbitol
- SEN CHA Blend (matcha and sencha green tea)
- Peppermint and Spearmint Oil
- Stevia
- Calcium Stearate
Nutrition Facts (per 3 pieces/2 g serving):
- Calories – 10
- Total Carbohydrates – 0 g
- Total Fat – 0 g / 0%
- Sodium – 0 mg / 0%
- Dietary Fiber – 0 g / 0%
- Sugars – 2 g
- Protein – 0 g
Root Chews Mints
These mints are not labeled gluten-free, but they are made with only two ingredients, neither of which contain gluten.
Ingredients:
- Parsley Root
- Peppermint Oil
Nutrition Facts (per 3 pieces/2 g serving):
- Calories – 0
- Total Carbohydrates – 0 g
- Total Fat – 0 g / 0%
- Sodium – 0 mg / 0%
- Dietary Fiber – 0 g / 0%
- Sugars – 0 g
- Protein – 0 g
Icebreakers Fruit + Cool Sugar Free Duo Mints Strawberry Flavor
These mints are not labeled gluten-free, but they contain no gluten ingredients. They start minty and combine that flavor with strawberry for a fresh and fruity refresh.
Ingredients:
- Maltodextrin
- Malic Acid
- Magnesium Stearate
- Maltitol
- Asperame
- Citric Acid
- Artificial Flavor
- Modified Corn Starch
- Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil
- Artificial Color
- Gum Acacia
- Soy Lecithin
Nutrition Facts (per 1 piece/1.1 g serving):
- Calories – 0
- Total Carbohydrates – 1 g
- Total Fat – 0 g / 0%
- Sodium – 0 mg / 0%
- Dietary Fiber – 0 g / 0%
- Sugars – 1 g
- Protein – 0 g
Velamints Fresh Peppermint Sugar Free Mints
These mints are not labeled gluten-free, but they contain no gluten ingredients.
Ingredients:
- Sorbitol
- Natural Flavor
- Anti-Caking Agent
- Magnesium Stearate
- Stevoil Glycoside as a Sweetener
Nutrition Facts (per 1 piece/0.7 g serving):
- Calories – 2
- Total Carbohydrates – <1 g
- Total Fat – <1 g / 0%
- Sodium – 0 mg / 0%
- Dietary Fiber – 0 g / 0%
- Sugars – <1 g
- Protein – 0 g
Related Questions
Are Tic Tac mints vegan?
All flavors of Tic Tac mints are vegan according to the manufacturer. That includes the popular Fresh Mint and Orange flavors.
Are Tic Tac mints kosher?
Yes. Tic Tac has been certified kosher. All flavors of the mints were certified kosher in 2017 by the Orthodox Union.
Are there allergens Tic Tac mints?
Most flavors of Tic Tac mints are free from the eight major allergens, including being free from gluten and nuts. Some flavors, like the Candy Cane Tic Tac flavor, do contain milk so check the ingredients.