Aussie expert reveals the terrifying truth about chewing gum: ‘You’ll never want to buy it again’

An Australian sustainability expert is urging others to think twice before chewing a piece of gum after it was found to contain a harmful ingredient.

Lottie Dalziel, from Banish Auwarned that polyvinyl acetate (plastic) is a key ingredient in some chewing gums and makes the gum stick.

“After watching this video, you will never want to chew gum again,” she said in a clip that has since gone viral.

Hundreds of people were shocked by this little-known insight and wondered why this information isn’t taught in schools.

‘Ever wondered what makes your chewing gum so chewy? Well, among the many eyebrow-raising ingredients in modern chewing gum such as petroleum glycerine, polyethylene and ceric acid, are plastics and polymers such as latex and polyvinyl acetate,’ said Lottie.

She claimed that when you chew gum you are essentially ‘chewing plastic coated with flavours and colours’.

‘This is what gives chewing gum that sticky, elastic texture that allows you to chew on it for hours or even forever,’ Lottie continues.

‘More than 100,000 tons of plastic waste is created each year from chewing gum alone. That’s the equivalent of 374 trillion sticks of chewing gum.’

Lottie Dalziel of Banish Au warned that polyvinyl acetate (plastic) is a key ingredient in chewing gum and helps hold it together

Lottie added that it’s worth considering ditching the gum and opting for mints instead – or nothing at all.

“The myth that you shouldn’t swallow chewing gum because it stays in your lungs for seven years may be true,” the caption read.

According to the International Chewing Gum Associationthe ingredient ‘gum base’ is what gives chewing gum its ‘chew’. It is made from a combination of food grade polymers, waxes and plasticizers that create the desired texture.

The short video has now been viewed over 62,000 times and many could not believe they had not received this insight sooner.

‘Oh wow, I had NO idea about this! Thanks for sharing, I need to change my habits soon,’ one person wrote.

Lottie added that it’s worth reconsidering chewing gum and opting for mints instead – or nothing at all

“Surely this should be taught in schools?!” said another.

A third added: ‘Gosh! I chew gum after every meal and every cup of coffee.’

Someone else wrote: ‘How did we ever get to the point where it’s legal to do this, and sell it and make a profit? It’s so corrupt.’

‘Since it’s been confirmed that plastic is in salt, fish, water, tampons, make-up… we absorb or swallow it whether we like it or not. It’s not good, but that’s the way it is,’ added another.