People using high-profile weight-loss drugs aren't just changing how they eat—they're reshaping the candy aisle. Hershey says that rising use of GLP-1 medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound is helping drive up sales of its mints, gum, and protein bars, per CNBC. CEO Kirk Tanner cited "functional snacking" trends tied to the adoption of GLP-1 meds, noting that retail sales for Hershey's Ice Breakers gum and mint brand climbed more than 8% last quarter.
Some GLP-1 users have been reporting "Ozempic breath," though it's not listed as an official side effect. This particular kind of halitosis "refers to a fishy smell in burps or bad breath," Dr. Neha Lalani tells Healthline. Dental experts say GLP-1 meds have been tied to dry mouth that's probably the result of dehydration and saliva altered by the drugs.
Hershey's breath fresheners, as well as a 17% jump in protein bar sales, helped push overall revenue up more than 10% in the first quarter, though its stock slipped more than 2% Thursday morning. Other sweets makers are seeing similar patterns: Lindt says premium chocolate sales are growing faster among GLP-1 users in the US, and Magnum's parent company told investors that people on the drugs are ditching "low-quality munching" in favor of higher-end chocolate, ice cream, and protein-heavy snacks—a "premium treat substitution effect" that could reshape the snacking market.
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