Jenkki Original Spearmint xylitol chewing gum

Jenkki Brand Heritage and Ownership

Jenkki is an iconic Finnish chewing gum brand that revolutionized oral healthcare. Launched in 1951 by the company Hellas in Turku, Finland, it gained international fame in 1975 when it became the world's first chewing gum to use xylitol as a sweetener. This breakthrough, developed in collaboration with the University of Turku, established Jenkki as a pioneer in dental health products.

Manufacturing and Corporate Structure

While Jenkki is deeply rooted in Finnish culture and its product development remains centered in Finland, the physical manufacturing of the gum moved from Turku to Levice, Slovakia, in 2013 following supply chain optimizations by its parent company.

Today, Jenkki is owned by the Swedish confectionery giant Cloetta AB. Cloetta acquired the brand through its merger with Leaf in 2012. The brand is managed in Finland by Cloetta Suomi Oy, which continues to maintain Jenkki's status as the market leader in the Finnish chewing gum sector. The ultimate owner, Cloetta AB, is a leading confectionery company in Northern Europe, publicly traded on Nasdaq Stockholm.