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NEWS > HEALTH > MAN SUING WRIGLEY OVER GUM RELATED ILLNESS

MAN SUING WRIGLEY OVER GUM RELATED ILLNESS

October 20 2008

Chicago, IL – A Seattle area man has filed a lawsuit against one of the largest chewing gum and confectionary manufacturers in the world, claiming that years of chewing and swallowing gum is has caused severe illness and left him unable to work. The papers were filed at the Illinois State court today.

“My client has suffered debilitating ailments for a number of years that have left him unable to earn a living. This has resulted in severe emotional distress and tension not only on my client but on his family and friends,” said Gilbert Sullivan, lawyer for Michael Hasford. “My client has spent thousands of dollars on doctors and specialists to no avail. He finally discovered that it has been years of swallowing chewing gum that has caused his ailments. What we are seeking is compensation for my client and a change to all gum packaging distributed throughout the United States.”

The suit is of course based on the old wives tale that when swallowed chewing gum remains in the stomach for up to seven years. This myth has been debunked by all credible scientists as simply that. Sullivan did not state how Hasford had come to the conclusion that it was indeed chewing gum that had caused his illnesses.

“When swallowed chewing gum passes into the stomach and then through the intestines until it is eventually expelled. While its true the gum is not broken down in the stomach and does not pass on any nutrients, it does not stay in the body,” said Scrape TV Health analyst Rebecca Phelps. “The story is an old wives tale that has absolutely no basis in science. Gum is most definitely not food but that does not mean that it stays in the body after swallowing. It has no nutritional value and is expelled. Gum is actually expelled more quickly than actual food because it is not broken down. Gum does not stay in your stomach for seven years, nothing does. The digestive tract is remarkably efficient. The idea that swallowing gum could cause severe illness is ludicrous.”

It has not been disclosed how much Hasford is seeking in compensation, nor have any particulars of his medical conditions been revealed. Scrape TV was able to track down Mr. Hasford’s employer for comment.

“He has missed a fair amount of work being sick. I know he’s been to all kinds of doctors and none of them have been able to do anything. I also know that he chews a lot of gum but I gotta be honest I’ve never seen him swallow,” said Albert Cox, Hasford’s supervisor. “It really makes you think though. I’ve always spit out my gum because that’s what I was always told what to do but I never paid much mind to why it was important. Guess I know now. Who woulda thunk that one of those old stories would actually be true. Kinda makes you want to give up gum completely.”

Cox did go on to say that he thought Hasford had a one to two pack a day habit, mainly of the 5 Rain brand.

Pending the outcome of the suit, Lawyer Sullivan stated that they have no plans on stopping with Wrigley, citing their next target as British manufacturer Cadbury, makers of Trident.

“There are many gum manufacturers in the world and we are going to hold them responsible for properly labelling their product as being potentially dangerous. It is the responsibility of all companies to take their users health into account and be proactive in warning them of potential hazards. We will not rest until the gum industry is changed for the better.”

Lauren Hebert, Health Correspondent

NEWS > HEALTH > MAN SUING WRIGLEY OVER GUM RELATED ILLNESS