Maya Ellison
Chewing gum is a soft, cohesive substance designed to be chewed without being swallowed. It is composed of a gum base, sweeteners, softeners/plasticizers, flavours, colours, and, typically, a hard or powdered polyol coating. The gum base, also known as the gum base, is made of polyvinyl acetate, a type of plastic. Chewing gum may be the only food that intentionally contains plastic, but it may not be the top source of the plastic that is found in human bodies and waste. A study found that chewing gum can release hundreds to thousands of microplastics into saliva and potentially be ingested.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic in gum | Polyethylene, polyvinyl acetate, styrene-butadiene rubber, and other synthetic plastics or rubbers |
| Why plastic is added | To create a bouncy chewiness, to soften the gum, and to strengthen the bubble film |
| Microplastics in saliva | Chewing gum can release hundreds to thousands of microplastics per piece into saliva and potentially be ingested |
| Microplastics in the environment | Chewing gum contributes to plastic pollution, as it does not biodegrade and can persist in the environment for many years |
| Health effects of microplastics | The health effects of ingesting microplastics from gum are not yet fully understood, but it is likely that smaller plastic particles were not detected in the saliva |
| Regulation | The FDA has reviewed and determined that certain substances used in gum base are safe for human consumption |
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What You'll Learn
Chewing gum releases microplastics into saliva
Chewing gum is made from a rubbery base, sweeteners, flavourings, and other ingredients. The rubber base is often made from synthetic plastics or rubbers, such as polyethylene, polyvinyl acetate, and styrene-butadiene rubber. These synthetic materials are approved by the FDA as safe for human consumption or safe to be in contact with food. However, recent studies have found that chewing gum can release hundreds to thousands of microplastics per piece into saliva, which may then be ingested.
In a pilot study presented at the American Chemical Society (ACS) spring meeting in 2025, researchers found that both natural and synthetic chewing gums released microplastics into saliva. They measured an average of 100 microplastics released per gram of gum, with some individual gum pieces releasing up to 600 microplastics per gram. A typical piece of gum weighs between 2 and 6 grams, meaning a large piece of gum could release up to 3,000 plastic particles.
The researchers also found that the act of chewing was abrasive enough to make pieces of plastic flake off the gum. After 8 minutes of chewing, 94% of the plastic particles had been released. This suggests that chewing one piece of gum for longer is preferable to popping in a new piece to reduce potential exposure to microplastics.
While the long-term effects of microplastic exposure are not yet fully understood, there are concerns about potential health harms. Additionally, if gum is not properly disposed of, it can contribute to plastic pollution in the environment.
It is important to note that the study had limitations due to the instruments and techniques used, and further research is needed to assess the potential release of nano-sized plastics from chewing gum.
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Natural gum products use plant-based polymers
Chewing gum has been found to contain plastic. The "gum base" in the list of ingredients in chewing gum is largely made of polyvinyl acetate, a type of plastic also found in glue. The typical gum base contains two to four types of synthetic plastics or rubbers. However, natural gum products use plant-based polymers such as chicle or other tree sap to achieve the right chewiness. Chicle is a natural resin that is deemed safe for human consumption by the FDA.
Natural gums are polysaccharides of natural origin, mostly botanical gums found in the woody elements of plants or in seed coatings. They are used in the food industry as thickening agents, gelling agents, emulsifying agents, and stabilizers. They are also used in other industrial applications such as adhesives, binding agents, crystal inhibitors, clarifying agents, encapsulating agents, flocculating agents, swelling agents, and foam stabilizers.
Gums and mucilages are plant hydrocolloids, a mixture of clear amorphous polymers and monosaccharide polymers combined with uronic acid. They contain hydrophilic molecules that can combine with water to form viscous or gel-like solutions. They are biodegradable, biocompatible, non-toxic, well-tolerated by patients, and have fewer side effects. They do not cause allergies in humans, irritate the skin or eyes, and have low production costs.
Despite the use of natural polymers in some gums, a pilot study by the American Chemical Society found that both natural and synthetic chewing gums released microplastics into saliva. Researchers tested five brands of synthetic gum and five brands of natural gum, all of which are commercially available. They found that chewing gum can release hundreds to thousands of microplastic particles per piece into saliva and potentially be ingested.
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The FDA considers gum plastics safe for human consumption
Chewing gum has been found to contain plastic, which may come as a surprise to many consumers. The plastic is present in the form of a "gum base", which is made up of synthetic polymers. These polymers are derived from petroleum-based sources and are used to achieve the right level of chewiness. While natural gum products use plant-based polymers like chicle or tree sap, synthetic gum bases are made from plastics such as polyethylene, polyvinyl acetate, and styrene-butadiene rubber.
The presence of plastic in chewing gum has raised concerns about the potential health risks associated with ingesting microplastics. Studies have shown that chewing gum can release hundreds to thousands of microplastic particles into saliva, which are then ingested. However, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States has evaluated the safety of chewing gum bases and deemed them safe for human consumption. According to an FDA spokesperson:
> "The FDA has evaluated the safety of many substances used to make up chewing gum base. The 46 substances that we have reviewed and determined to be safe for this use can be found in our regulations."
The FDA's list of acceptable substances includes both natural and synthetic materials, such as chicle, natural resins, plastics, and wood rosins. The FDA conducts thorough evaluations of the safety of chewing gum base constituents, often multiple times as new data becomes available. The FDA's role is to ensure that any substance used in food products, including chewing gum, is safe for human consumption.
While the FDA has deemed the plastics used in gum bases safe, there are ongoing concerns about the presence of microplastics in the environment and the potential health risks they may pose. Scientists are still studying the health impacts of microplastic ingestion, as it has been linked to respiratory, digestive, and reproductive issues, as well as certain types of cancer. Additionally, the presence of microplastics in the human body is widespread, and it is recommended that individuals try to reduce their exposure to microplastics where possible.
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Gum is the only food that intentionally contains plastic
Chewing gum is a soft, cohesive substance designed to be chewed without swallowing. It is composed of gum base, sweeteners, softeners/plasticizers, flavours, colours, and, typically, a hard or powdered polyol coating. The gum base is largely made of polyvinyl acetate, a type of plastic. This synthetic gum base is also made from other types of synthetic plastics or rubbers, such as polyethylene and styrene-butadiene rubber.
The American Chemical Society (ACS) found that chewing gum can release hundreds to thousands of microplastics per piece into saliva and potentially be ingested. In a study, a graduate student's saliva contained elevated microplastic levels after she chewed several commercially available gums, including natural ones. Both natural and synthetic gums were found to contain microplastics, though the health effects of this are not yet fully understood.
The FDA has evaluated the safety of many substances used to make up chewing gum bases and has deemed them safe for human consumption. However, the presence of plastic in gum has led to concerns about plastic pollution, as gum does not biodegrade and can persist in the environment for many years.
Chewing gum may be the only food that intentionally contains plastic, but it is important to note that the health effects of ingesting microplastics from gum are not yet fully understood.
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Gum base is made of polyvinyl acetate, a common plastic
Chewing gum is made from a rubbery base, sweeteners, flavourings, and other ingredients. The rubbery base, or gum base, is often made from a plant-based polymer, such as chicle or other tree sap, to achieve the right chewiness. However, many modern chewing gums use synthetic rubber bases made from petroleum-based polymers. These synthetic gum bases are a blend of synthetic and natural ingredients, and they often contain plastic.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved dozens of food-grade materials that can be used in gum bases. These substances are deemed safe for human consumption or safe to be in contact with food. Many of these substances are not ones that people would usually choose to put in their mouths. They include polyethylene, polyvinyl acetate, and styrene-butadiene rubber. Polyethylene is the most common type of plastic, used in plastic bags and milk jugs. Polyvinyl acetate is also a plastic, found in glue, and it strengthens the bubble film in gum. Styrene-butadiene rubber is used in car tires and creates a bouncy chewiness that makes gum more likely to stick to itself than to surfaces like teeth.
The typical gum base contains two to four types of synthetic plastics or rubbers. Many of the appealing qualities of gum come from these synthetic polymers. For example, polyvinyl acetate can strengthen the bubble film, and styrene-butadiene rubber can create a bouncy chewiness. Polyethylene can be used to soften gum so that it doesn't tire out the jaw. Gums with only natural polymers can feel like they are going to fall apart in the mouth, but plastic gum also has its downsides. Gum chewing has been linked to microplastic ingestion. In a study, a volunteer chewed on a piece of gum for an hour, spitting into test tubes as they went. After an hour, the saliva collected contained more than 250,000 pieces of micro and nano plastics—a comparable level to the amount of microplastics found in a litre of bottled water.
In addition to the potential health implications, there are also environmental concerns surrounding the use of plastic in gum. If used gum is not properly thrown away, it can be a source of plastic pollution in the environment. A pilot study by the American Chemical Society found that chewing gum can release hundreds to thousands of microplastics per piece into saliva and potentially be ingested. The researchers concluded that the plastic released into saliva is only a small fraction of the plastic that is in the gum. Therefore, it is important to dispose of gum properly to reduce the impact on the environment.
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Frequently asked questions
The "gum base" in chewing gum is largely made of polyvinyl acetate, a type of plastic. The FDA has approved the use of dozens of food-grade materials, including plastics, in gum bases.
Chewing gum releases hundreds to thousands of microplastics per piece into saliva and can be ingested. Microplastics are tiny plastic particles that are 1 to 5 millimeters wide.
The health effects of ingesting microplastics from gum are not yet fully understood. However, scientists recommend reducing exposure to microplastics, as they are known to be linked to certain types of health issues.
