Plastic in chewing gum

That this House notes with concern that the overwhelming majority of commercially available chewing gum in the UK contains plastic-based synthetic polymers hidden within the ingredients under the term gum base, meaning most consumers are unaware they are chewing and ingesting plastic; further notes that chewing gum is a significant but overlooked source of microplastic ingestion and environmental pollution, with research showing that a single piece of plastic gum can release in excess of 250,000 microplastic particles into the human body; is concerned by growing evidence linking microplastic exposure to health risks, including cancer, strokes, heart attacks, diabetes and infertility; is further concerned that the majority of gum consumers are under the age of 25, a group more vulnerable to the health impacts of microplastic exposure; notes that chewing gum remains largely unregulated in terms of its composition and public health risks; calls on the Government to commission independent research into the public health implications of plastic-based chewing gum; further calls for mandatory transparency in labelling, including a requirement for manufacturers to clearly disclose gum base ingredients in plain language; and urges the Government to explore regulatory measures to limit public exposure to microplastics through chewing gum and to encourage the development and adoption of plastic-free alternatives.