Mental has a history that smells of mint and licorice, a story filled with passion. Starting with the classic mint candies that serve as the cornerstones of our production, we’ve expanded to create a variety of flavors and textures. Our roots are deeply embedded in the land of our country, and our customers know us well… because they carry us in their pockets!
For nearly ninety years, our aromas and flavors have delighted the taste buds of Italians and beyond, as we’ve gradually made our way across Europe and the rest of the world.
The Istituto Biochimico Farmaceutico Fassi S.p.A. has not always been associated with the unmistakable green tin of Mental. The company was founded in Turin in 1936 by Lorenzo Torassa, initially as a pharmaceutical company. It was only later that it transitioned to its current specialization in the confectionery sector. The bombings during World War II and the significant challenges of those years necessitated relocating the production plant from Turin to Vallecrosia, in the province of Imperia, where it remained until 2011.
The company’s positive trajectory solidified under the leadership of Roberto Torassa, Lorenzo's son, who successfully steered the factory into new market sectors. While the company’s flagship product is and remains the Mental line—famous licorice candies available in sugar and sugar-free variants—its production has significantly diversified to meet the demands of an increasingly discerning and varied consumer base. Additionally, packaging, originally tailored for tobacconist shops, has been adapted to formats more suitable for large-scale retail displays.
What makes Mental a winning brand is its relentless pursuit of high-quality raw materials, consistent investment in new technologies, and workforce training to stay ahead of the curve. This approach has led to the launch of new products and the continuous redesign of packaging to attract new customer segments.
Since 2011, Mental has had a new home: the production site in Chiusanico (IM). This modern and spacious facility spans approximately 5,000 square meters, accommodating new machinery and enabling the achievement of specific certifications, such as the IFS Food certification. These certifications are essential to ensure that production processes comply with European regulations and maintain the highest quality standards for consumers.
In 2012, Mental celebrated 76 years of experience dedicated to your enjoyment. Mental FASSI, a name synonymous with quality and tradition in the confectionery sector, decided to leverage its extensive expertise in flavors and aromas to venture into the vaping world. With the new brand Mental4Smoke, it introduced a wide range of e-liquid products for electronic cigarettes, crafted from carefully selected ingredients and produced entirely in Italy.
Since 1936, a name synonymous with quality and reliability, Mental FASSI, with 88 years of experience as of 2024, is expanding its offerings to include dietary supplements under the new brand Mental Farma.
The innovative concept behind this project is to combine the enjoyment of a candy with the benefits of a supplement. This gave rise to the “MentalFarma” line, characterized by the tagline: “A supplement as delicious as a candy.”
With resolution no. 325 dated April 15, 2024, the ASL n. 1 of the Liguria Region authorized the company to produce dietary supplements in tablet form and foods (candies) enriched with vitamins and/or minerals. The final recognition was issued with the CE number IT AIP070 22 for the facility located at Via Nazionale Sud no. 3, Chiusanico (IM), acknowledging the high standards of its structures and equipment.
This marks a new milestone in our journey, dedicated to meeting the satisfaction of our consumers.
