Q. My child wants to know if one is yotze shalachmones by giving a box of chewing gum?
A, On question 1749 we write that contemporary Poskim disagree whether a blessing must be recited before chewing gum. Many maintain that since Shulchan Aruch (O. H. 202: 15) rules that; “One recites shehakol on sugar, and shehakol is also recited when sucking sweet sticks.” Since sugar or other sweetening and flavoring agents are sucked and swallowed when chewing the gum a shehakol should be said. (Igrois Moshe, O.H. 2: 57, Yabia Omer 7: 33, 9: 108, Or L’Tzion 2: 14: 8.
However, Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that chewing gum is not considered an eating act and no brocho is recited.
In regards to mishloach monos, where actual food is required to be gifted for consumption at the seuda, likely all agree that one does not comply by giving chewing gum
Horav Sh’muel Kamenetzki Shlit’a (Kovetz Halochos 17: 8) writes that when giving a candy such as a lollipop, one complies with shalach monos only if it is given to a child, who would likely appreciate it.
However, giving a full box of small chocolates is good for any age.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit’a