Chewing Gum Brands Ranked for Microplastics (2026)
Last reviewed: by the MicroPlastics Research Desk. Submit a correction or see our editorial standards.
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Key Takeaways
- Most major brands (Trident, Extra, Orbit, 5 Gum, Stride, Mentos) use synthetic gum bases, polyethylene, polyvinyl acetate, styrene-butadiene rubber.
- The FDA allows 45+ different polymers in “gum base”, manufacturers don't have to disclose which.
- Chicle-based brands (Glee Gum, Simply Gum, Chicza, Pur certain products) use plant-derived sapodilla tree sap, not synthetic polymers.
- The 2025 UCLA pilot study found 100+ microplastic particles per gram of gum, 600+ for outlier brands.
- For a daily chewer, switching from synthetic to chicle gum eliminates an estimated 15,000+ microplastic particles per year.
The gum base label problem
When you read the ingredients list of a chewing gum, you'll see “gum base” listed, but not what's in it. The FDA permits more than 45 different ingredients under the “gum base” label (21 CFR 172.615), including:
- Polyethylene (same plastic as plastic bags)
- Polyvinyl acetate (used in white glue)
- Styrene-butadiene rubber (used in car tyres)
- Polyisobutylene (synthetic rubber)
- Butyl rubber (used in inner tubes)
- Paraffin wax (petroleum-derived)
Manufacturers don't have to disclose which combination they use, and most don't. The default assumption for any mainstream brand is that the gum base is synthetic.
The 2025 UCLA pilot study refresher
Sanjay Mohanty and Lisa Lowe at UCLA presented pilot data in March 2025 measuring microplastic release from 10 popular gum brands. Findings (recap from our dedicated chewing gum article):
- Average ~100 microplastic particles per gram of gum.
- One outlier brand released over 600 particles/gram.
- 94% of release happened in the first 8 minutes of chewing.
- Both synthetic-labelled AND natural-labelled gums released particles in similar ranges, “natural” gum base claims often aren't verified.
Major brands ranked
| Brand | Gum base type | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Glee Gum | Chicle (sapodilla tree sap) | Best, verified plant-based; cardboard packaging available |
| Simply Gum | Chicle + plant ingredients | Best, verified plant-based; available in many flavors |
| Chicza Mayan Organic | Chicle | Best, fair-trade, organic chicle from Mayan forests |
| Pur Gum | Mix, some chicle, some synthetic depending on product | Verify per specific product; xylitol-sweetened |
| True Gum | Chicle + natural ingredients | Good, biodegradable; Danish brand |
| Trident | Synthetic gum base (undisclosed) | Avoid for daily use |
| Extra (Wrigley) | Synthetic gum base (undisclosed) | Avoid for daily use |
| Orbit (Wrigley) | Synthetic gum base (undisclosed) | Avoid for daily use |
| 5 Gum (Wrigley) | Synthetic gum base (undisclosed) | Avoid for daily use |
| Stride (Cadbury) | Synthetic gum base (undisclosed) | Avoid for daily use |
| Mentos Gum | Synthetic gum base (undisclosed) | Avoid for daily use |
| Bubblicious / Bazooka | Synthetic gum base (undisclosed) | Avoid for daily use |
| Eclipse, Dentyne, Wrigley's Spearmint | Synthetic gum base (undisclosed) | Avoid for daily use |
Where to buy chicle gum
- Whole Foods Market, usually carries Glee Gum and Simply Gum.
- Sprouts. Glee Gum and Pur.
- Amazon, all the recommended chicle brands.
- Thrive Market. Simply Gum, Glee Gum.
- Direct from brand websites. Chicza, Simply Gum, Glee Gum all sell direct, often with subscription savings.
- European pharmacies. Chicza and True Gum widely available.
- Most major US grocers, increasingly carry at least Simply Gum in the natural-foods aisle.
How to read a gum label
- Look for “chicle” or specific tree gum. If the ingredient list says chicle, sapodilla, jelutong, or another specific tree resin, it's plant-based.
- If it just says “gum base”, assume synthetic. The default for any mainstream brand.
- Don't trust “natural” or “plant-based” on the front without verifying via ingredient list, the 2025 UCLA study showed claims often don't hold up.
- Look for biodegradable certifications (TÜV OK Biodegradable for True Gum, etc.) as a proxy signal.
- Skip gum balls and vending machine gum, almost universally synthetic with no certification.
Alternatives to gum entirely
- Xylitol mints (Spry, PUR mints, B-Fresh), dental-positive without gum base.
- Sugar-free hard candies from natural-foods brands.
- Plain water + breath strips (organic options exist).
- Whole fennel seeds or cardamom pods, traditional breath fresheners in many cultures.
See related: microplastics in chewing gum (parent article), best polymer-free toothpaste, and microplastics in toothpaste.
What the MicroPlastics app checks
- Packaging material. PET, HDPE, PP, PS, multi-layer, glass, aluminum.
- Container condition from the photo, scratches, dents, fade.
- Product category, fresh, packaged, canned, frozen, takeout.
- Use-context flags you log, microwave, heat, reuse, time stored.
- Cited research behind the 0–100 risk score.
Use the App
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Scan the product, check the packaging score, compare alternatives. The MicroPlastics app weighs material, condition, brand, and the cited research.
Scan groceries in the appFrequently Asked Questions
Which chewing gum brands have no microplastics?
Does Trident have plastic in it?
Is sugar-free gum lower in microplastics?
Are biodegradable chewing gums available?
Where can I buy plant-based chewing gum?
How much microplastic do I avoid by switching gum?
Sources
- Lowe LE, Mohanty SK (2025). Chewing gum as a potential source of microplastic exposure: pilot study. American Chemical Society Spring Meeting / UCLA.
- US Food and Drug Administration (2024). CFR Title 21 Section 172.615: Chewing gum base. US FDA.
- European Food Safety Authority (2023). Food contact materials guidance: polymers in chewing gum. EFSA.
- Beat the Microbead / Plastic Soup Foundation (2024). Synthetic polymers in everyday products: database. Plastic Soup Foundation.
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