Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of the ingestion of microplastics from plastic-based chewing gum on public health.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is monitoring and assessing emerging information concerning the wider issue of microplastics in food.

The Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment (COT) is an independent scientific advisory committee that provides advice to the FSA and other Government Departments. No assessment has been made on the potential impact of the ingestion of microplastics from chewing gum specifically, as the COT is currently considering the issue of microplastics in general.

The COT has previously concluded that there is currently insufficient data to carry out a full risk assessment. Further research is required into standardisation of analytical techniques as well as the effects of microplastics on humans. The FSA is keeping the issue of microplastics under review as new evidence becomes available.