Maya Ellison
Chewing gum is a common product that people use for various reasons, such as fresh breath, aiding focus, or as a habit. However, one of the essential ingredients in chewing gum, the gum base, has come under scrutiny for being made of plastic. Polyvinyl acetate, a thermoplastic or thermosoftening plastic, is a key ingredient in most chewing gums, giving them their chewy texture. While the FDA has approved the use of this plastic in chewing gum, recent studies have shown that microplastics pose a real risk to humans, and chewing gum has been associated with potential microplastic exposure. This raises concerns about the environmental impact of gum and the possible health risks associated with plastic ingestion.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Does Extra Gum have plastic in it? | Yes, most chewing gums contain plastic. |
| What type of plastic is in chewing gum? | Polyvinyl acetate, a thermoplastic. |
| Why is plastic in chewing gum? | Plastic is the ingredient that makes chewing gum chewy. |
| Is chewing gum a single-use plastic? | Yes. |
| Is chewing gum biodegradable? | No, it is non-digestible and water-insoluble. |
| Are there plastic-free chewing gum options? | Yes, there are some eco-friendly chewing gum brands that make plastic-free gum, such as Glee Gum and Simply Gum. |
| Has the FDA approved the use of plastic in chewing gum? | Yes, the FDA has approved the use of plastic in chewing gum and considers it safe for human consumption. |
| What are the potential risks of consuming plastic through chewing gum? | Microplastics pose a real risk to humans, and studies have shown that chewing gum is potentially associated with microplastic exposure. |
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What You'll Learn
Chewing gum is flavoured plastic
Softeners such as vegetable oil and lecithin are also added to the gum base to maintain softness and chewiness. If the gum is chewed for too long, these compounds can get washed away, leaving the gum stiff. Chewing gum is the only food that intentionally contains plastic, but it may not be the top source of the plastic showing up in human bodies and waste. Recent studies have, however, shown that microplastics pose a real risk to humans, and chewing gum has been associated with microplastic exposure.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the use of plastics in chewing gum and deemed them safe for consumption. The FDA has reviewed the safety of many substances used in chewing gum bases, including chicle, natural resins, plastics, and wood rosins. Still, it is important to note that the FDA revisits the safety of any ingredient as appropriate when new safety information becomes available. While most popular gum brands contain polyvinyl acetate, there are some eco-friendly alternatives on the market, such as Glee Gum and Simply Gum, which are plastic-free.
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Polyvinyl acetate is a thermoplastic
Polyvinyl acetate is used in the production of glue, plastic bags, and bottles. It is also used as an adhesive for porous materials, particularly for wood, paper, and cloth, and as a consolidant for porous building stone, in particular sandstone. It is also the raw material to make other polymers, such as polyvinyl alcohol. Polyvinyl acetate is used as an emulsion adhesive for bags, sacks, and cartons. It is also used in paper coatings, paint, and other industrial coatings, as well as a binder in nonwovens in glass fibres, sanitary napkins, and filter paper.
Polyvinyl acetate is a key ingredient in most chewing gums and is listed in the ingredients as a "gum base". The US FDA has approved polyvinyl acetate for use in chewing gum. However, recent studies have shown that microplastics pose a real risk to humans, and chewing gum has been associated with microplastic exposure. There are some eco-friendly chewing gum brands on the market that make plastic-free gum.
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Microplastics are in our food and water
Microplastics are present in our food and water. They are found in seafood, bottled water, honey, milk, tea, and even plant-based meat alternatives. Studies have shown that we consume a credit card's worth of plastic per week.
Chewing gum, for example, contains polyvinyl acetate, a type of plastic that also happens to be used in the production of glue, plastic bags, and bottles. It is listed in the ingredients as the "gum base". This plastic is what gives chewing gum its chewy texture.
However, it is important to note that the presence of microplastics in food and water does not necessarily indicate a risk to human health. While studies have detected microplastics in various foods, the current scientific evidence does not suggest that the levels of microplastics present pose a danger.
That being said, the FDA continues to monitor research on microplastics and nanoplastics in food and is working to advance the science to ensure food safety. Additionally, researchers are still working to understand the bigger picture, including the sources of microplastics and their potential risks to human health.
To reduce plastic pollution and ensure a safe food supply, it is important to continue researching and addressing this issue.
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Chewing gum is a single-use plastic
Chewing gum is a soft, cohesive substance designed to be chewed without swallowing. It is considered a food of minimal nutritional value. Modern chewing gum is composed of gum base, sweeteners, softeners/plasticizers, flavours, colours, and a hard or powdered polyol coating.
The "gum base" in the list of ingredients in chewing gum is largely made of polyvinyl acetate, a thermoplastic polymer. Polyvinyl acetate is also used in the production of glue, plastic bags, and bottles. Other common gum base ingredients include polyethylene, butyl rubber, and paraffin wax. These ingredients are also used in a variety of inedible products, including plastic bags, hula hoops, glue, and car tires.
While the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the use of these plastics in chewing gum, recent studies have shown that microplastics pose a real risk to humans. In fact, people are found to eat, drink, and breathe microplastics. Chewing gum is potentially associated with microplastic exposure.
Fortunately, there are some eco-friendly chewing gum brands on the market that make plastic-free gum, such as Glee Gum, Simply Gum, Chicza, and Peppersmith.
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FDA-approved plastic in Extra gum
Chewing gum is not considered a plastic, but it does contain plastic. The "gum base" listed in the ingredients of most chewing gums is made of polyvinyl acetate, a type of plastic also used in glue, plastic bags, and bottles. Polyvinyl acetate is a thermoplastic, which is any plastic polymer material that becomes pliable or moldable at certain high temperatures and solidifies upon cooling.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the use of plastics in chewing gum. The FDA spokesperson stated that the FDA has "evaluated the safety of many substances used to make up chewing gum base" and that the "46 substances that we have reviewed and determined to be safe for this use can be found in our regulations." The list of acceptable substances includes chicle and natural resins as well as plastics and wood rosins. The FDA has been reviewing the safety of chewing gum base constituents since at least 1960 and continues to do so as new data becomes available.
While the FDA-approved plastic used in Extra gum is generally considered safe for human consumption, there are some concerns about the potential health and environmental impacts of microplastics. Recent studies have shown that microplastics pose a real risk to humans, and chewing gum has been associated with microplastic exposure. Additionally, plastic production has a large carbon footprint and requires significant amounts of oil, natural gas, and energy.
It is worth noting that there are some eco-friendly chewing gum brands on the market that offer plastic-free gum, such as Glee Gum and Simply Gum. These brands use natural ingredients like chicle, calcium carbonate, candelilla wax, and citrus peels, and some also provide recyclable packaging.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Extra Gum does contain plastic. The ingredient known as "'gum base' in the list of ingredients in chewing gum is largely made of polyvinyl acetate, a type of plastic.
Chewing gum is basically plastic doped with flavours and colourings. It is non-digestible and water-insoluble, which means it never seems to break down.
Chewing gum may be the only food that intentionally contains plastic, but it may not be the top source of the plastic that is showing up in human bodies and waste.
