Laboratoires Juva Santé, a subsidiary of the Urgo Group and a major player in consumer healthcare (Juvamine, Mercurochrome), announces the definitive acquisition of the Ricqlès brand from the Haribo Group in Europe and other territories*. After successfully operating under license in France since 2020 in mass retail, Juva Santé, now the owner of the heritage brand in these territories, aims to make it its third pillar of growth, alongside Juvamine and Mercurochrome.
Natural integration for ambitious goals
This acquisition marks a decisive step in Laboratoires Juva Santé’s development strategy. By adding Ricqlès to its portfolio of assets, the company confirms its desire to leverage well-known brands to democratize access to healthcare solutions.
Ricqlès, an iconic brand founded in 1838 and famous for its mint liqueur, has successfully undergone a strategic shift under Juva Santé’s leadership towards the promising oral health segment (oral care accessories and products).
Exceptional results that validate the strategy
The acquisition comes at a time when the brand is posting record performances following the launch of a new range of oral care products and increased advertising investments over the past two years. In a mass retail market for oral care accessories worth nearly €25 million, Ricqlès has now established itself as a key player with a 30% market share and growth of +37%**.
Briac Le Lous, President of Family Medication Activities at the Urgo Group and President of Juva Santé, states: « The acquisition of Ricqlès is a strategic move. In just a few years, we have demonstrated our ability to transform a heritage brand into a leader in oral care products. By becoming the owner of the brand, we will accelerate this development and raise Ricqlès to the same level of excellence and recognition as Juvamine and Mercurochrome. This marks the beginning of a new chapter in making Ricqlès a lasting pillar of our healthcare offering.
Preserving France’s industrial base
In keeping with the Urgo group’s DNA, this operation ensures that local expertise is maintained. Ricqlès mint alcohol, a long-standing product, continues to be manufactured at Haribo Ricqlès Zan, as do the ranges of mouth sprays and mouth ulcer treatments, thus benefiting from the industrial and logistical expertise of Juva Santé and its partners in France.
ABOUT LABORATOIRES JUVA SANTÉ
For 38 years, Laboratoires Juva Santé, a subsidiary of the French family-owned Urgo Group, has been democratizing access to healthcare solutions in mass retail. A leader in the parapharmacy and dietary supplement market with iconic brands such as Juvamine and Mercurochrome, the company controls its entire value chain, from production (at its site in eastern France) to logistics (in Burgundy), enabling it to offer innovative products at the best value for money. For more information, visit: www.juva.com
ABOUT RICQLÈS
Founded in 1838, Ricqlès is a heritage French brand famous for its mint liqueur and its signature slogan, “strong mint that comforts.” Historically owned by Haribo and operated under a health license since 2008, the brand is now a benchmark for oral health in supermarkets. It offers a complete range combining tradition (mint alcohol) and modern innovations (interdental accessories, sprays), distributed by Laboratoires Juva Santé.
* Outside Asia, North America, Oceania, and the Middle East, where Haribo continues to operate with its partners.
** Source: Nielsen, rolling annual total as of 11/2025