Mentos History

Who sparked the beginning of a Fresh New World? Scroll down and see the success story of Mentos.

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1900

VAN MELLE WAS FOUNDED
van Melle founded in Breskens, Netherlands.
Van Melle
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1932

MENTOS BECOMES A REALITY
On a train ride to Poland, brothers Michael and Pierre van Melle came up with the vision of a peppermint flavored caramel candy to go by the name of Mentos. This was the beginning of a Fresh New World.
Mentos becomes reality in Poland
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1946

PERFETTI WAS FOUNDED
Perfetti founded in Lainate, near Milan.
Perfetti
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1950

NEW MENTOS PRODUCTION
Mentos production moved to Rotterdam. International orders to France, Germany and the UK marked the beginning of the New Freshness spreading across the world.
New mentos production in Rotterdam
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1960

MENTOS IN A ROLL
The sixties! Revolutions in fashion, sex, music and Mentos. The first Mentos roll found its way to consumers across the globe.
Mentos chewy roll
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1973

NEW MENTOS VARIETIES
While the original Mentos was tickling the taste buds of The King of Nepal, new varieties were introduced. In the US, Mentos lovers got to try cinnamon and menthol, while European addicts were presented with fruit flavored mints.
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1975

FIRST US SALES OFFICE
First US van Melle sales office opened in Massachusetts
First US sales office
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1976

FIRST TV COMMERCIAL
Mentos made its small screen debut with the first Fresh TV commercial.
Mentos television
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1978

US OFFICE MOVED TO ERLANGER
US sales office moved to Erlanger, Kentucky where it currently resides.
US office moved to Erlanger
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1990

THE FRESHMAKER
Mentos introduced the Freshmaker campaign that proved to be right on target: straight after its introduction Mentos sales went through the roof!
Freshmaker commercial on TV
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2001

PERFETTI VAN MELLE MERGER
The year 2001 was a special year for Mentos that saw the Dutch company van Melle and the Italian company Perfetti join forces, making Mentos available in shops everywhere.
Perfetti van melle logo
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2005

INTRODUCED MENTOS GUM
Mentos Gum made its debut in Europe and beyond. The refreshing taste, the unique shape and texture and many different flavors found new fans everywhere.
Mentos gum blue logo
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2007

Setting World Records
The World Record was set for the most Diet Coke and Mentos explosions at one time. The record was set on Fountain Square in Downtown Cincinnati, OH.
Mentos Geyser world record
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2008

MENTOS GUM COMES TO THE US
Mentos Gum was introduced to the US with five exciting flavors in two different packages.
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2010

MENTOS GOES SOCIAL
Mentos went social by opening up a Facebook account. Since then Mentos social presence has continued to grow.
Mentos social
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2022

NEW RECYCLABLE PACKAGING
In 2022, Mentos launched it's signature gum in a new recyclable paperboard bottle!
Paperboard bottle image
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