Wrigley halts caffeinated gum

    Wrigley says it is taking a new caffeinated gum off the market temporarily as the Food and Drug Administration investigates the safety of added caffeine.

    The company said Wednesday that it has stopped new sales and marketing of Alert Energy Caffeine Gum “out of respect” for the agency.

    The FDA said it would investigate added caffeine in foods just as Wrigley rolled out Alert late last month. A stick of the gum is equivalent to half a cup of coffee.

    Wrigley North America President Casey Keller said in a statement to The Associated Press that the company now has a greater appreciation for the FDA’s concern about the proliferation of caffeine in the nation’s food supply. He said the company has “paused” production and sales of the gum.

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