Wrigley halted production of its caffeine gum, Alert Energy Caffeine Gum, so that the Food and Drug Administration can investigate the safety of added caffeine. The decision to halt production was announced Wednesday.

In a statement to the American people, Wrigley North American President Casey Keller said that talks with the FDA instilled a “greater appreciation” for the agency’s concern about the increase of added caffeine in the nation’s food supply.

In its initial statement on Alert Energy Caffeine gum, which was issued on the same day that Wrigley’s caffeinated gum was launched, the FDA said that the only time that it explicitly gave a thumbs up to added caffeine was for cola in the 1950s.

Michael R. Taylor, FDA Deputy Commissioner for Foods and Veterinary Medicine, added that since that approval, the FDA has grown concerned that children may be exposed to foods in which caffeine is not naturally found. Taylor said that the FDA will investigate the safety of added caffeine, working hand in hand with the scientific and medical communities.

Following Wrigley’s decision to halt production of its caffeine gum, the FDA issued a second statement. In the statement, Taylor acknowledges that Wrigley and the FDA held discussions in which the agency presented concerns about added caffeine and the availability of these caffeine sources to children.

According to Taylor, the FDA “applauds” Wrigley’s decision to halt production on its caffeinated gum. The FDA has also asked other companies planning to add caffeine to food or drinks to show similar restraint until the agency obtains a better understanding of the issues created by added caffeine.

Reuters reports that Wrigley isn’t the only company to attempt to market gum with “energizing properties.” Mondelez International Inc offers gums that contain green tea and Vitamin C.

Have you tried Alert Energy Caffeine Gum? What did you think? Are you more or less likely to try caffeine gum after reading this article? Does the world need another source of caffeine? Share your thoughts in the comments section.