Chewing gum intake in Europe: a survey of intakes in France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK.
A limited number of studies have examined chewing gum intakes in Europe. In the current study, chewing gum intakes were estimated in children, adolescents and adults via customised online questionnaires developed to collect data on patterns of chewing gum consumption (including usage, duration and gum variety) in September and October 2011. A total sample of chewing gum consumers composed of 1001 children and 5186 adolescents and adults from five European countries was included in the survey, with 79% and 66% of children and adolescents/adults reporting chewing gum in the previous 3 and 6 months, respectively. The intake of chewing gum on a per g basis was estimated by establishing the mean weights of each form of gum, and using factors for the frequency of chewing gum intake obtained through the online survey. Intakes of chewing gum at the mean, 90th and 95th percentile in children were 1.87, 3.79 and 6.59 g day(-1) (equivalent to 0.75, 1.67 and 2.40 pieces/day), respectively. In adolescents and adults, intakes at the mean, 90th and 95th percentile were 1.87, 5.40 and 8.00 g day(-1) (equivalent to 0.98, 3.00 and 4.00 pieces/day), respectively. Intakes were similar across the five countries. Chewing gum use was significantly higher in older compared with younger children and was significantly higher in adolescents compared with older adults. The data reported herein provide a reliable resource for chewing gum intakes in Europe and will be important for estimating exposure to food additives and flavourings intended for use in chewing gum.
a Intertek Scientific & Regulatory Consultancy , Farnborough , UK.
Áine
Á
Hearty
Annette
A
Lau
Ashley
A
Roberts
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002638:Chewing Gum / Q000032:analysis; D002648:Child; D004034:Diet Surveys; D004435:Eating; D005060:Europe; D005260:Female; D005421:Flavoring Agents / Q000032:analysis; D005503:Food Additives / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
D002638:Chewing Gum; D005421:Flavoring Agents; D005503:Food Additives
chewing gum; dietary survey; exposure assessment; food additives; online questionnaire