{"hq_id":"hq-p-fod-000055","name":"Chewing gum","category":{"primary":"food_contact","secondary":"confectionery","tags":["chewing gum","gum","candy"]},"product_tier":"FOD","overall_risk_level":"low","description":"Chewing gum — sugar-free and regular varieties. Contains gum base (polyvinyl acetate), sweeteners, softeners, flavoring, and coatings.","synthesis":{"derived_risk_level":"moderate","synthesis_confidence":0.558,"synthesis_method":"compound_composition","context_used":"human_child","context_source":"product_users","exposure_modifier":1.15,"vulnerability_escalated":true,"escalation_reason":"Child exposure group","compounds_resolved":3,"compounds_total":3,"synthesis_date":"2026-05-09","synthesis_version":"1.2.0","methodology_note":"exposure_modifier and adjusted_magnitude are computed from ALETHEIA-calibrated heuristics (route × duration × frequency multipliers, clamped to [0.5, 1.4]). Multipliers are directionally informed by EPA Exposure Factors Handbook (2011) and CalEPA OEHHA but are not regulatory consensus. See /api/methodology for full disclosure."},"hazard_summary":{"overall_risk":"low","primary_concerns":[],"sensitive_populations":"","exposure_routes":""},"exposure":{"routes":["dermal"],"contact_types":["oral"],"users":["adult","child","teen"],"duration":"minutes_to_hours","frequency":"daily","scenarios":["Incidental mouthing or hand-to-mouth transfer by children"],"notes":"Continuous oral extraction of ingredients during chewing; some ingredients swallowed"},"consumer_guidance":{"red_flags":[{"indicator":"Contains xylitol (for dog owners)","meaning":"Xylitol is extremely toxic to dogs — even one piece can be lethal","action":"Keep all xylitol gum out of reach of dogs; seek emergency vet care if ingested"}],"alternatives":[{"name":"Simply Gum (natural chicle base)","notes":"Natural gum base; no BHT, no TiO2, no artificial sweeteners"}],"green_flags":[],"what_to_ask":[],"notes":null},"regulatory":{"applicable_regulations":[{"jurisdiction":"USA","regulation":"FDA GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe)","requirements":"Gum base, sweeteners, colors must be GRAS or FDA-approved food additives"},{"jurisdiction":"EU","regulation":"EU Food Additives Regulation 1333/2008","requirements":"TiO2 (E171) banned in food since 2022; aspartame permitted with ADI warning"}],"certifications":[],"labeling":{},"recalls":[],"regulatory_gap":null,"notes":null},"lifecycle":{"recyclable":null,"disposal_guidance":"","hazardous_waste":null,"expected_lifespan":""},"formulation":{"form":"composite_material","key_ingredients":[{"hq_id":"hq-c-ino-000107","name":"Gum base (polyvinyl acetate/polyisobutylene/chicle)","role":"base_material","concentration_pct":"20-30"},{"hq_id":"hq-c-ino-000002","name":"Sugar or xylitol/sorbitol (sweetener)","role":"additive","concentration_pct":"50-70"},{"hq_id":"hq-c-ino-000041","name":"Softeners (glycerol, lecithin)","role":"additive","concentration_pct":"2-5"},{"hq_id":"hq-c-ino-000001","name":"Natural or artificial flavors (mint, fruit)","role":"additive","concentration_pct":"1-3"}],"certifications":[]},"materials":{"common":["hq-m-chm-000012","hq-m-env-000001"],"concerning":[{"material_id":"hq-m-chm-000012","concerns":[{"concern":"Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCB mixture, typically Aroclor 12 (IARC 1)","exposure_route":"multiple","from_compound":"Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCB mixture, typically Aroclor 12"},{"concern":"PCB-118 (a particularly toxic congener) (IARC 1, GHS: Warning)","exposure_route":"multiple","from_compound":"PCB-118 (a particularly toxic congener)"},{"concern":"Dioxin-like PCB congeners (PCB-77, PCB-126, PCB-169) (IARC 1, GHS: Warning)","exposure_route":"multiple","from_compound":"Dioxin-like PCB congeners (PCB-77, PCB-126, PCB-169)"}]},{"material_id":"hq-m-env-000001","concerns":[{"concern":"Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDD mixture) (IARC 3, GHS: Danger)","exposure_route":"multiple","from_compound":"Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDD mixture)"},{"concern":"Polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDF mixture) (IARC 3, GHS: Danger)","exposure_route":"multiple","from_compound":"Polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDF mixture)"},{"concern":"Co-occurring polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs)","exposure_route":"multiple","from_compound":"Co-occurring polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs)"}]}],"preferred":["glass","stainless steel"]},"compound_composition":[{"hq_id":"hq-c-org-000074","compound_name":"Xylitol/Sorbitol","role":null,"typical_concentration":"30-50%"},{"hq_id":"hq-c-mix-000014","compound_name":"Titanium dioxide (E171)","role":null,"typical_concentration":null},{"hq_id":"hq-c-ino-000020","compound_name":"BHT","role":null,"typical_concentration":"0.01%"}],"identifiers":{"common_names":[],"aliases":[],"manufacturer":null,"brands":[]},"brand_examples":[{"brand":"Generic Mass-Market Brand A","manufacturer":"Consumer Products Corporation","market_position":"mass_market","notable":"Widely available mass-market option"},{"brand":"Generic Mass-Market Brand B","manufacturer":"Consumer Goods Ltd","market_position":"mass_market","notable":"Popular budget alternative"},{"brand":"Premium Brand A","manufacturer":"Premium Consumer Inc","market_position":"premium","notable":"Upscale premium positioning"},{"brand":"Professional Brand","manufacturer":"Professional Products Co","market_position":"professional","notable":"Professional/salon-grade option"},{"brand":"Specialty Eco-Brand","manufacturer":"Natural Products Ltd","market_position":"premium","notable":"Sustainable/natural product line"}],"brand_examples_disclaimer":"Representative branded products of this category. Concerning ingredients listed in materials.concerning[] apply to the category, not necessarily to every named brand. Specific formulations vary by SKU and may have changed since this record was written; consult the brand's current ingredient label before drawing brand-level conclusions.","sources":[{"id":"src_001","type":"regulatory","title":"EFSA Opinion on TiO2 (E171) — no longer safe as food additive","year":2021},{"type":"regulation","title":"FDA GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe)","jurisdiction":"USA","id":"src_b01dd342"},{"type":"regulation","title":"EU Food Additives Regulation 1333/2008","jurisdiction":"EU","year":2008,"id":"src_4d3290c0"},{"id":"src_002","type":"clinical","title":"Gastrointestinal Tolerance of Xylitol in Humans","publication":"Clinical nutrition studies","notes":"Review of xylitol laxative effects in human subjects","inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-org-000074"},{"id":"iarc_93_tio2","type":"regulatory","title":"IARC Monographs Volume 93: Carbon Black, Titanium Dioxide, and Talc — Titanium Dioxide Group 2B Evaluation (Inhalation, Nano Form)","year":2010,"inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-mix-000014"},{"id":"efsa_tio2_2021","type":"regulatory","title":"EFSA: Re-evaluation of Titanium Dioxide (E 171) as a Food Additive — Safety Opinion and EU Ban Basis","year":2021,"inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-mix-000014"},{"id":"epa_boric_acid_reg","type":"regulatory","title":"US EPA: Boric Acid and Sodium Tetraborate — Reregistration Eligibility Decision (RED) and Human Health Risk Assessment","year":2006,"inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-ino-000020"},{"id":"efsa_boric_acid_2013","type":"regulatory","title":"EFSA: Re-evaluation of Boric Acid (E 284) and Sodium Tetraborate (Borax, E 285) as Food Additives — ADI and Reproductive Toxicity Assessment","year":2013,"inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-ino-000020"}],"meta":{"schema_version":"4.0.0","last_updated":"2026-03-25","timestamp":"2026-05-13T22:17:28.140Z"}}