Today, in this blog post, I will answer the question, “Can chewing gum expire?” I am sure you are here because you are interested in knowing more about this topic.
Can chewing gum expire?
The International Chewing Gum Association states that chewing gum is stable. You don’t need to worry about any side effects from old gum. While I don’t think that crumbly, tasteless gum is very appealing, it will not hurt you.
Can out-of-date chewing gum make you sick?
Out-of-date chewing tobacco won’t cause you any harm. Some brands may voluntarily include an expiration date on their gum packages
The chewing gum’s low moisture content makes it inert, making it safe and easy to store.
What’s chewing gum?
Unlike its name, chewing gum should not be swallowed. The chewing gum has a soft and chewable texture.
All ingredients in chewing gum must be food-grade. Although brands may vary, the following list should suffice:
Gum: This is the common rubbery base found in all chewing gums.
Resin – Resin gives the gum structural stability and keeps it together.
Fillers – Fillers such as calcium carbonate and talc provide the gum texture.
Preservatives – These are additives that prolong the shelf life of gum, most often Butylated Hydroxytoluene.
Softeners – These are waxes such as paraffin or vegetable oil. They lock the moisture within the gum to prevent it from becoming brittle.
Sweeteners– are common ones. These include beet sugar and corn syrup. Sugar-free gums can contain sugar alcohols such as xylitol, or artificial sweeteners like ispartame.
Are the ingredients of the chewing gum safe?
All ingredients in chewing gum must be food-grade.
The gum is safe to eat because the amount of these ingredients is much lower than the safe and acceptable level.
Butylated Hydroxytoluene
According to the FDA and EFSA, a 0.11 mg/pound body weight (or 0.25 mg/kg) of BHT is safe.
Titanium dioxide
Titanium dioxide can be used to enhance food’s whitening properties.
High doses of titanium dioxide have been shown to cause organ damage and nervous system problems in rats.
More research is needed to confirm this effect. Titanium dioxide in food is within safe limits, so it shouldn’t pose a problem.
Aspartame
Aspartame, a popular sugar-free sweetener, is very well-liked. It has been linked with headaches, obesity and cancer.
However, there are not enough facts to make it unsafe.
Health benefits of chewing gum
Chewing gum can help reduce stress and improve memory
Chewing gum with a taste is thought to improve cognitive functions.
While chewing gum while working may seem like a distraction, studies have shown that it can help improve focus over time.
Chewing gum can also reduce stress levels by inhibiting the release of cortisol, the stress hormone.
Chewing gum may help you lose weight
Chewing Gum can satisfy your sweet cravings. Chewing chew has been shown to increase metabolism.
These factors all help you lose weight. More research is required to show the benefits of chewing gum for weight loss.
Chewing gum can help to protect your teeth and reduce bad breath
Avoid cavities by chewing sugar-free gums. Xylitol prevents the growth of bacteria which can lead to tooth decay.
Chewing gum after meals improves saliva flow, which cleans your gums and teeth of food particles.
Is there an expiration date for chewing gum?
Chewing gum doesn’t have to expire in most countries due to its composition.
Most products that expire are due to their fluid content. Bacteria can grow faster in food with more fluid.
Chewing gum usually contains softeners and fillers. It also has antioxidants, sweeteners and flavoring agents.
Minty gum is good for bad breath, as long as the gum is not off
But, because chewing gum can change in taste and texture after its expiry date, it technically does expire.
What happens if you chew gum past its expiration date?
Expiry is a term that indicates the product is no longer safe to consume.
Chew gum will become brittle and hard after expiration.
This could also cause a loss of taste, which can make the experience somewhat boring.
However, chewing old or expired gum isn’t dangerous to your health. Avoid swallowing small pieces of the gum repeatedly.
It is possible to swallow large amounts of gum. This could lead to a blockage in the intestines.
Should you consume Expired Gums?
It’s unlikely that you will need to chew expired gums unless in an emergency.
But, in normal situations, this would be a bad idea.
Do Gummy Rolls Go Bad
Gummy rolls can be described as long strips of gum that are rolled like tape. Expired material is more likely to cause harm than good.
These rolls are not wrapped tightly like regular gum, so bacteria can get stuck.
Does Extra-Sugar Gum Go Bad
Although Sugar is considered to be expiry-proof, it’s more susceptible to being infected by bacteria than other food products.
A gum with too much sugar can lead to bacterial infection.
Does Chewing Gum Expire
Dirty Packaging
You shouldn’t keep gum indefinitely. If you find an old package of gum, you can only decide if you should eat it.
It’s impossible to guarantee that gum packaging will keep dirt, dust and other harmful substances out.
What is the Shelf Life for Chewing Gum?
Chewing gum can last for a very long time if it’s stored correctly.
The International Chewing Gum Association, as I have already mentioned, states that chewing gum is very stable. Some candy products may be more volatile than chewing gum-safe levels.
Many countries don’t require chewing gum to have an expiry date. The US Food and Drug Administration doesn’t regulate chewing gum.
When should you throw out your old gum?
If the gum has turned discolored, you should throw it out. Don’t be like the South African students who went to the ED after eating expired sugar-energy gum.
Wrapping up
This article answers the question, “Can chewing gum ever expire?” We also answered the questions “Can chewing gum expire?” and “Is the chewing gum safe?” “I am certain this blog post will satisfy your curiosity about chewing gums, and answer all your questions.
Gum Expire?
