The present invention relates to a chewing gum base for use in chewing gum compositions wherein the chewing gum base contributes to the ability of the chewing gum compositions and products to degrade over time after chewing due to environmental influences or cleaning processes, while at the same time providing a significant shelf life for the final chewing gum composition product. The chewing gum base comprises a hydrophilic precursor component comprising hydrolysable units and an elastomer, wherein the hydrophilic precursor component comprising hydrolysable units is encapsulated or dispersed in a barrier material. Moreover, the invention relates to chewing gum compositions containing such chewing gum bases.
