An Australian sustainability expert has encouraged others to think twice before chewing on a stick of gum after revealing a harmful ingredient it contains.
Lottie Dalziel, from Banish Au, warned polyvinyl acetate (plastic) is a key ingredient in some chewing gum and helps it stick together.
‘You’ll never want to chew on gum again, after watching this video,’ she said in a now-viral clip.
Hundreds were horrified by the little-known insight and wondered why this information isn’t taught at school.
‘Have you ever wondered what makes your gum so chewy? Well among the many eyebrow-raising ingredients in modern gum like petroleum glycerine, polyethylene and ceric acid, there are plastics and polymers such as latex and polyvinyl acetate,’ Lottie said.
She claimed that if you chew gum you’re essentially ‘chewing plastic covered in flavours and colours’.
‘This is what gives gum that sticky, elastic texture that lets you chew on it for hours or even forever,’ Lottie continued.
‘Each year over 100,000 tons of plastic waste is created from chewing gum alone, which is the equivalent of 374 trillion sticks of chewing gum.’
Lottie Dalziel, from Banish Au, warned polyvinyl acetate (plastic) is a key ingredient in chewing gum and helps it stick together
Lottie added that it’s worth reconsidering chewing gum and instead opt for mints instead – or nothing at all.
‘That old wives tale about not swallowing gum because it will be stuck in your lungs for seven years might have been correct,’ the caption read.
According to the International Chewing Gum Association, the ingredient ‘gum base’ is what gives chewing gum its ‘chew’. It’s made from combination of food-grade polymers, waxes and softeners that create the texture desired.
The short video has since been viewed more than 62,000 times and many couldn’t believe they didn’t know the insight sooner.
‘Oh wow I had NO idea about this! Thank you for sharing, I need to change my ways pronto,’ one wrote.
Lottie added that it’s worth reconsidering chewing gum and instead opt for mints instead – or nothing at all
‘Should teach this at schools, am I right?!’ another said.
A third added: ‘Crikey! I chew gum after every meal and coffee.’
Someone else wrote: ‘How did we ever get to the point where it is legal to do this, and to sell and make profit? It’s so corrupt.’
‘Given plastic has been confirmed to be found in salt, fish, the water, tampons, makeup.. we’re either absorbing or ingesting it whether we like it or not. It’s not good but it’s how it is,’ another added.
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