Mentos is a global confectionery brand best known for its chewy mint candies, fruit-flavored dragees, chewing gum, and sugar-free mints. Originally developed in the Netherlands in the early 20th century, Mentos has grown into one of the world’s most recognizable candy brands and is sold in more than 130 countries. The brand is owned by Perfetti Van Melle, one of the world’s largest confectionery manufacturers. [1]

• Brand: Mentos

• Product type: Confectionery (mints, chewy candy, chewing gum, sugar-free mints)

• Founded: 1932

• Country of origin: Netherlands

• Founder: Michael and Pierre Van Melle

• Current owner: Perfetti Van Melle

• Headquarters (parent company): Breda, Netherlands, and Lainate, Italy

• Availability: Over 130 countries

• Official website: Mentos.com [1]

The story of Mentos began in 1932, when Dutch brothers Michael Van Melle and Pierre Van Melle traveled by train to Poland. Inspired by techniques for producing soft fruit chews, they envisioned a peppermint-flavored chewy candy that would eventually become Mentos. [2]

During World War II, the Van Melle factory in Breskens was destroyed, prompting the company to relocate production to Rotterdam. By the 1950s, Mentos had begun exporting internationally, reaching markets such as France, Germany, and the United Kingdom. [2]

A major milestone occurred in 2001, when Italian confectionery company Perfetti merged with Van Melle to form Perfetti Van Melle, creating one of the world’s largest candy manufacturers. This merger greatly expanded Mentos’ global distribution and product portfolio. [1]

Today, Mentos offers a wide range of confectionery products, including:

• Chewy Mint Rolls – the classic peppermint candy available in rolls.

• Fruit Mentos – assorted fruit-flavored chewy candies.

• Mentos Gum – launched in 2005, available in numerous mint and fruit flavors.

• Pure Fresh Gum – sugar-free gum with a liquid-filled center.

• Pure Fresh Mints – sugar-free breath mints.

• Limited-edition and regional flavors available in different countries. [1]

Mentos is widely recognized for its themes of:

• Freshness

• Fun and optimism

• Everyday confidence

• Creative problem-solving

• Colorful, youthful branding

Its iconic cylindrical roll packaging and round candy shape have remained consistent for decades. [1]

Mentos gained international fame during the 1990s through humorous television commercials featuring ordinary people solving awkward situations after eating a Mentos. These advertisements became pop culture icons and were accompanied by the memorable jingle:

“Fresh goes better with Mentos.”

The commercials are often cited as classic examples of successful global advertising campaigns. [3]

One of the brand’s most famous associations is the Mentos and Diet Coke experiment. When Mentos candies are dropped into a bottle of carbonated soda, they trigger a rapid release of carbon dioxide, creating a dramatic fountain.

The reaction is caused primarily by the candy’s rough surface and ingredients that provide many nucleation sites for carbon dioxide bubbles—not by a chemical reaction between the candy and the soda. The phenomenon has become a popular educational science demonstration worldwide. [1]

Mentos products are sold across Europe, Asia, North America, South America, Africa, and Oceania. Manufacturing takes place in multiple countries through the facilities of Perfetti Van Melle, allowing the brand to adapt flavors and packaging for local markets. [1]

Perfetti Van Melle was established in 2001 through the merger of the Italian company Perfetti and the Dutch company Van Melle. It is among the world’s largest confectionery companies and owns numerous internationally recognized brands, including:

• Mentos

• Chupa Chups

• Airheads

• Fruittella

• Smint

• Frisk [1]

• Mentos was first conceived in 1932.

• The classic roll typically contains 14 chewy dragees.

• Mentos Gum debuted in 2005.

• The brand is sold in more than 130 countries.

• The Mentos–Diet Coke fountain has become one of the best-known science demonstrations involving a consumer product. [1]

Over more than 80 years, Mentos has evolved from a single peppermint candy into a worldwide confectionery brand. Its combination of recognizable packaging, memorable advertising, diverse product range, and association with the famous soda fountain experiment has made it one of the most enduring and recognizable candy brands in the global market. [1]

1. Perfetti Van Melle | Our brands | Mentos

2. History – Perfetti van Melle

3. Mentos History | Mentos Philippines