Mentos

Mentos is a globally recognized brand of mints and chewing gum, famous for its unique 'chewy dragee' texture consisting of a slightly hard exterior and a soft, chewy interior. The brand was first introduced in 1932 by the brothers Michael, Pierre, and Machiel van Melle in the Netherlands. Over the decades, it gained international fame, particularly in the 1990s, due to its 'The Freshmaker' advertising campaign and its well-known physical reaction when dropped into carbonated beverages.

Today, Mentos is owned by the Italian-Dutch multinational corporation Perfetti Van Melle. The brand has expanded from its original mint flavor to a vast array of fruit, sour, and specialty flavors tailored to local markets. Because of its massive global footprint—being sold in over 130 countries—production is decentralized. Manufacturing takes place in several locations across the globe, including factories in the Netherlands, China, Brazil, and India, to efficiently serve regional demand.

In addition to its signature rolls, the brand has successfully diversified into the sugar-free gum market, becoming a leading competitor in the oral care and refreshment category. The ownership remains under Perfetti Van Melle, which was formed through the 2001 merger of the Italian company Perfetti and the Dutch company Van Melle, maintaining its position as one of the world's largest confectionery manufacturers.