Milliways Raises $3 Million to Expand Plastic-Free Chewing Gum Across U.S. Retail

New York, N.Y. — Milliways, a plastic-free chewing gum brand founded in 2021, has raised $3 million in new funding to accelerate its expansion across the United States, the company announced Wednesday. The company will use the investment to support marketing efforts. It will also expand retail distribution and increase inventory levels. The move builds on the brand’s first year in the U.S. market.

The funding round includes backing from former gum industry executives Mehmet Yüksek, previously CEO of Perfetti Van Melle North America, and Leon Amram, former owner of Intergum.

The company reports it has expanded into more than 2,000 U.S. stores in just over a year, including Sprouts, Meijer, Hy-Vee, Raley’s and Fred Meyer. According to recent SPINS data, Milliways now ranks as the top-selling plastic-free chewing gum brand in the country.

Founded by entrepreneur Tom Raviv, Milliways has raised $10 million total since launch and operates in more than 10,000 retail locations globally, with strong distribution in the U.K. and Europe.

The brand markets its gum as plant-based and biodegradable, using seven naturally derived ingredients. Its product line includes flavors such as Spearmint, Peppermint, Mighty Mint, Bubblemint, Strawberry and Watermelon. The company lists retail prices at $2.49 for 10-piece packs and $5.99 for 30-piece packs.

According to Raviv, the company’s strategy reflects shifting consumer priorities toward clean-label and wellness-driven products. He said the funding round will allow the brand to increase availability as retailers respond to demand for alternatives to conventional gum, which often contains synthetic polymers.

Industry analysts note that chewing gum has entered a period of renewed scrutiny as consumer awareness grows around microplastics and artificial additives. Research cited by the company links traditional gum bases to microplastic exposure, fueling interest in natural and biodegradable substitutes.

Why it matters

Milliways’ funding round reflects a broader shift in the confectionery and oral care categories toward clean-label innovation and sustainability-driven reformulation. As concerns over microplastics and artificial ingredients increase, consumers and manufacturers are reexamining even legacy categories like chewing gum through a health and environmental lens.

For retailers, plastic-free gum offers a way to modernize an otherwise stagnant aisle with premium, wellness-oriented alternatives. For manufacturers, the move signals growing pressure to rethink ingredient sourcing and packaging materials as consumers become more ingredient-literate and value-driven.

The brand’s rapid U.S. expansion also underscores how niche food and confectionery startups can scale quickly when aligned with regulatory conversations and viral social media awareness around health trends.

Industry context: gum joins the clean-label movement

The conventional gum category has historically relied on petroleum-based gum bases and artificial sweeteners. However, natural alternatives are now outpacing overall category growth, according to market data cited by the company.

This mirrors trends seen in candy, snacks, and beverages, where brands emphasize plant-based formulations, non-GMO claims, and simplified ingredient decks. Plastic-free gum positions itself at the intersection of wellness and environmental responsibility — two pillars driving modern CPG innovation.

Editor’s note: Source86 perspective

For food manufacturers and private label brands, Milliways’ expansion highlights how companies can reshape even legacy categories through ingredient transparency and sustainability-focused reformulation.

Clean-label gum reflects a larger movement toward products that address both consumer health concerns and environmental impact.

At Source86, we support brands navigating these shifts through ingredient sourcing, food safety oversight, private label development, and co-manufacturing partnerships. As demand grows for biodegradable, plant-based, and additive-free products, reliable supply chains and verified ingredients become essential for scaling responsibly in competitive retail environments. Let’s talk.

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External source: Milliways® Plastic Free Chewing Gum Brand Raises $3 Million to Accelerate US Growth