My Comment to Gum-Land (Breyer's)

You might think I'm crazy for how much I am bothered by this, but that's fine with me.

I am disturbed by Breyer's Ice Cream and the changes they have made to their products. I recently noticed a change in texture and taste of their ice creams. With a little looking around I found out that they have suddenly added gums as fillers/binders - this after 130+ years without it.

I am perplexed and disturbed. I loved the quality, which they have compromised. What also bothers me is that they've snuck it in. Why after all these years?

I'm sure it's great for profit. Same prices, cheaper ingredients. (albeit reduced quality - but they're probably thinking no on will notice) But I don't like gummy ice cream, and Breyers was a source of much joy to me.

So - since I am crazy, I thought it might do me some cathartic good to let them know how I feel. The comment/letter I just sent them is copied below. Maybe I'm the only one who's noticed, or who cares.

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In the last year, I've noticed a change in the consistency and taste of your Breyers Products. It took me a little while to figure it out, and the answer has left me disappointed.

I'm a bit of an ice cream purist, and have loved Breyer's products. Simple quality ingredients = great ice cream. You were in a class of your own.

What I discovered recently was that you've incorporated gums into your ice creams. I had a several-year-old plastic tub of vanilla in my basement which I used as a storage container. When I compared ingredients with a recent box of vanilla, I saw the change. "Natural Carob Bean Gum."

You've joined the world of gummy ice cream.

I noticed a difference the first time. As did my sister & other friends. I'm doing them the service of showing them how the texture and flavor of a once great ice cream has been compromised. What I can't tell them is why.

Perhaps I am niave, but in my mind a great product will yield profitability. People know the difference, and quality stands the test of time. Perhaps there has been a fundamental value shift in your company? You've moved on from primacy of quality to profitability?

I'm moving on as well. You're now in the gum class, and I'll be looking for someone else to make a "pure" product. You've lost me.

BTW- the Double Churn campaign is a joke in my home. When we see the commercials we just shake our heads. Apparently creamy and gummy are synonymous to you.

We're not fooled. Good luck.



NOTE: Breyer's Promptly responded with a letter, and a coupon for free $5 worth of free ice cream. Apparently when you complain about low quality, they offer you more.
My wife read the letter to me over the phone while I was at work. Sadly, she then threw it away. I had hoped to post their reply here, so that no one could read it. (no one reads my blog) Alas.
So the gist of why they added gum was this: "quality control" They said that since they could not control whether or not the ice cream was maintained at proper temperatures during shipping, unloading, stocking, sale and trip to consumer's home, they made the decision to add "natural" stuff (gum) to help maintain it's texture...or something.
Whatever. If people were calling in because their ice cream melted a little on the way home - I'd say "shop closer to home." Or "why don't you get your frozen foods last when you shop. They'll melt less. And stop chewing with your mouth open - that's disgusting!"

Either way, I'm sad. The bright spot? In this area I can get a few kind of flavors of ice cream from Turkey Hill which are just the pure stuff. It's called "Philadelphia Style" and hooray for the Fatties in Philly. At least someone knows how to make gum-less ice cream.

So - bye bye Breyer's. And the Double Churn Commercials are still just double the joke.


Sadly - John.