Let's Learn About Certs Mints - A Classic Since 1956!

Born in the 1950s: A New Kind of Mint

Let's get straight to the point  - Certs® has always been more than just a mint. 

For generations, it was the small, familiar pack tucked into glove compartments, purses, coat pockets, and desk drawers—ready whenever life called for a moment of freshness.

The iconic breath mints were introduced in 1956, during a time when American life was changing quickly.

Postwar optimism, road trips, and everyday convenience were shaping how people lived—and what they carried. 

Certs stood out immediately because it wasn’t just another hard mint.

It featured a distinctive sandwich-style design, with two mint layers wrapped around a refreshing center, delivering a longer-lasting, more satisfying taste.

The brand was created by Curtiss Candy Company, a Chicago-based confectioner already known for iconic treats such as Baby Ruth and Butterfinger Bars, to name but a few.

Certs quickly earned a place alongside the era’s most trusted household brands.

The Freshmaker Era

As Certs grew in popularity, it became famous for its playful and memorable advertising—most notably the introduction of “Retsyn” (short for re-energized synapse), a proprietary blend of copper gluconate that gave Certs its signature sparkle and a cooling burst of flavor.

The now-classic commercials asked a simple question: 

“Is it candy mint or minty candy?”—a line that many still remember today.

Certs weren’t just about fresh breath. It was about confidence, connection, and being ready for whatever moment came next.

A Staple for Generations

Throughout the 1960s, ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s, Certs became a true American staple. Parents kept them close, grandparents always had a pack to offer, and kids grew up recognizing the unmistakable rattle of the roll.

It was the mint you shared, the mint you remembered, and the mint that quietly became part of everyday rituals.

Over the years, Certs passed through several trusted confectionery stewards, including Life Savers and later Wrigley, continuing its legacy as one of the most recognizable mint brands in the country.

A Pause — Not a Goodbye

After more than six decades on store shelves, Certs was discontinued in the late 2010s. While production stopped, something unexpected happened: the memories didn’t fade.

 Fans continued to talk about Certs, search for them, and share stories about where they remembered them from—proof that the brand had left a lasting mark.

The Return of a Classic

Today, Certs is back—relaunched in 2025 with deep respect for its heritage and an eye toward the future.

Our mission is simple: to bring back the mint that meant something. The same spirit of freshness, familiarity, and everyday joy—reintroduced for a new generation, while honoring the ones who never forgot it.

This relaunch marks the beginning of a new, oh-so-welcome chapter for Certs. 

While the heart of the brand remains the same, many new innovations are on the way, designed to meet modern tastes, lifestyles, and moments.

Certs isn’t just a relaunch. It’s a return to something timeless—with more to come.

Stay tuned.