Ethan Clarke
Chewing gum is a soft, cohesive substance that people chew without swallowing. It is made up of gum base, sweeteners, softeners, flavours, colours, and a hard or powdered polyol coating. The gum base is largely made of plastic, specifically polyvinyl acetate, a sticky polymer also found in glue, plastic bags, and bottles. This plastic gives chewing gum its chewy texture. While the FDA considers these plastics safe for use in chewing gum, studies have found that chewing gum can contain more than 250,000 pieces of micro and nanoplastics, which may be harmful to human health.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic in chewing gum | Polyvinyl acetate, polyethylene |
| Plastic properties | Chewy, sticky, elastic, non-digestible, water insoluble |
| Plastic safety | The FDA has reviewed and determined 46 substances to be safe. |
| Microplastics | Studies show that chewing gum contains microplastics. |
| Eco-friendly alternatives | Glee Gum, Simply Gum, The Humble Co. |
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What You'll Learn
Chewing gum contains plastic
Chewing gum is a soft, cohesive substance designed to be chewed without swallowing. Its texture is reminiscent of rubber due to its polymer, plasticizer, and resin components, which give it its elastic-plastic, sticky, and chewy characteristics.
The "gum base" listed in the ingredients of chewing gum is largely made of polyvinyl acetate, a type of plastic. This synthetic elastomer is preferred over natural latex derived from sapodilla trees. Other plastics found in chewing gum include polyethylene, which is used in plastic bags and hula hoops, and polyvinyl acetate, which is a sticky polymer found in white glue.
The presence of plastic in chewing gum has raised concerns about its health and environmental impacts. Studies have shown that chewing gum can contain more than 250,000 pieces of micro and nano plastics, comparable to the levels found in bottled water. While the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) considers these plastics safe for use in chewing gum, there are ongoing debates about the potential health risks of ingesting microplastics.
Additionally, the small stains left by discarded gum on sidewalks contain microplastics that can end up in drains and contribute to ocean plastic pollution. This has led to the banning of chewing gum in countries like Singapore.
It is worth noting that there are plastic-free chewing gum alternatives available, such as Glee Gum, Simply Gum, and The Humble Co., which offer environmentally-conscious consumers options that do not contain plastic.
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Gum base is plastic
Chewing gum is largely made of plastic. The "gum base" listed in the ingredients of chewing gum is made of polymers, plasticizers, and resins. The polymers, including elastomers, give chewing gum its stretchy and sticky nature. Plasticizers, meanwhile, improve flexibility and reduce brittleness, contributing to the plastic and elastic nature of gum. Resins compose the hydrophobic portion of the gum base, making it chewy.
Polyvinyl acetate, a sticky polymer found in white glue, is a common type of plastic used in gum bases. It is also used in the production of glue, plastic bags, and bottles. Polyethylene, another common plastic, is used in products from plastic bags to hula hoops.
The use of plastic in chewing gum has raised concerns about its health and environmental impacts. Studies have found that chewing gum can contain more than 250,000 pieces of micro and nano plastics, comparable to the level of microplastics in a liter of bottled water. The plastic in gum can also have a negative impact on the environment, as the small stains left from discarded gum contain microplastics that can end up in drains and oceans.
While the exact ingredients and proportions used in gum bases are often trade secrets, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has reviewed and determined that 46 substances are safe for use in chewing gum bases. These include plastics as well as natural substances such as chicle and spruce resin.
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Polyvinyl acetate is a plastic used in gum
Chewing gum is a soft, cohesive substance designed to be chewed without swallowing. It is composed of a gum base, sweeteners, softeners, flavours, colours, and a hard or powdered polyol coating. The gum base, also known as the "gum foundation", is made of polymers, plasticizers, and resins.
Polyvinyl acetate is not the only plastic used in chewing gum. Polyethylene, for example, is one of the most common components of gum base and belongs to a common group of plastics used in products from plastic bags to hula hoops.
Chewing gum is one of the only foods that intentionally contain plastic. However, there is currently no evidence that chewing gum base is harmful. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has evaluated the safety of many substances used to make up chewing gum bases, and considers these plastics safe for use in chewing gum.
Nevertheless, the plastic in gum can have a negative impact on the environment. Small stains of discarded gum on the sidewalk contain microplastics that can end up in drains and filter into the ocean. There are some eco-friendly chewing gum brands on the market that make plastic-free gum, such as Glee Gum, Simply Gum, and The Humble Co.
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Microplastics are released when chewing gum
Chewing gum is a soft, cohesive substance designed to be chewed without swallowing. Its texture is reminiscent of rubber due to the physical-chemical properties of its polymer, plasticizer, and resin components, which give it its elastic-plastic, sticky, and chewy characteristics.
The "'gum base'" listed in the ingredients of chewing gum is largely made of polyvinyl acetate, a sticky polymer also found in glue, plastic bags, and bottles. This synthetic elastomer is preferred over the natural latex derived from sapodilla trees that was used until World War II. Other plastic components of gum bases include polyethylene, which is commonly used in plastic bags and hula hoops.
Chewing gum may be 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. In fact, only about 10% of plastic is recycled, and the remaining plastic breaks down into microplastics, which contaminate our food and water.
Studies have found that chewing gum releases microplastics. In one study, a volunteer chewed gum for an hour, and their saliva contained over 250,000 pieces of micro and nano plastics, comparable to the level found in a liter of bottled water. Another study found elevated microplastic levels in a graduate student's saliva after chewing several commercially available gums, including natural ones. Additionally, gum chewing has been correlated with higher urine levels of phthalates, plastic-softening chemicals that are endocrine disruptors.
While the FDA has reviewed and determined that the substances used in chewing gum bases are safe, the potential health effects of microplastics are still being investigated. Some research suggests that microplastics are associated with respiratory, digestive, and reproductive issues, as well as colon and lung cancer. However, it is not yet clear how microplastics cause disease, which microplastics are the most harmful, and how much microplastic the body can tolerate before negative effects are observed.
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Plastic-free gum alternatives
Chewing gum is essentially plastic flavoured with colours and sweeteners. The ingredient known as the "gum base" is largely made of polyvinyl acetate, a synthetic elastomer. However, there are now several plastic-free alternatives to conventional chewing gum.
Chewsy is a popular plastic-free, plant-based, sugar-free, and aspartame-free chewing gum in the UK. It uses a natural, biodegradable gum base and xylitol, a plant-based sweetener. It is available in compostable and recyclable cardboard boxes.
Simply Gum, Chicza, and Milliways are some other brands that use biodegradable bases. Chicza Organic Mayan Rainforest Chewing Gum is made with all organic ingredients. True Gum, produced in Copenhagen, Denmark, is another plastic-free product made with sap from gum trees and natural flavours.
When choosing plastic-free gum, it is important to be careful of greenwashing. Some companies market their products as “natural” while still using a plastic gum base. Look for brands that use biodegradable gum ingredients or compostable packaging, and that source their ingredients responsibly.
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Frequently asked questions
The plastic in chewing gum is usually polyvinyl acetate, a sticky polymer also found in glue, plastic bags and bottles. Other plastics used include polyethylene and synthetic rubber.
The plastic in chewing gum is what makes it chewy. It also gives gum its plastic and elastic properties.
The plastic in chewing gum is considered safe by the FDA. However, research has found that chewing gum can increase the levels of phthalates, plastic-softening chemicals that are endocrine disruptors, in the body.
Yes, there are some eco-friendly chewing gum brands on the market that make plastic-free gum, such as Glee Gum, Simply Gum, and The Humble Co.
