Microplastics databaseOtherChecked 2026-10-01
Microplastics in chewing gum
In a study announced by a US research team in 2025 (published after peer review), up to 637 particles were released per gram of gum, and 94% came out in the first 8 minutes of chewing. There was no difference between synthetic gum base and natural gum base.
Amounts found in studies
| Study | What was tested | Size range and method | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowe, Leonard & Mohanty (2025) | 5 natural and 5 synthetic gums | — (confirmed in the abstract) | 4–637 per gram. 94% in the first 8 minutes. No difference between synthetic and natural. Median size 0.045 mm. Polyolefin, PET, polyacrylamide, polystyrene |
Results can differ by orders of magnitude depending on the smallest particle size counted and whether particles are counted or weighed. Numbers from different studies cannot be compared directly (→ Why numbers differ).
Good to know
- At the time of the conference presentation in March 2025 it had not yet been peer reviewed, but it was later published as a paper after peer review (J Hazard Mater Lett 2025;6:100164). How many people chewed could not be confirmed in the abstract.
Data from Japan
No study measuring Japanese gum was found.
Types of plastic found
Sources
- Lowe L, Leonard J, Mohanty S. J Hazard Mater Lett 2025;6:100164
- American Chemical Society (ACS) press release, March 2025
Last checked 2026-10-01. “Confirmed in the abstract” means we report only what the paper's abstract says. This page is a translation of our Japanese page; if they differ, the Japanese page is the reference.
Public bodies such as WHO, FAO and EFSA do not currently recommend that individuals avoid any particular food because of microplastics. This page lists facts from research and public agencies' documents; it does not judge whether a food is good or bad.