Ricola

What Ricola does

Ricola Group AG is a Swiss family-owned manufacturer of herbal cough drops, throat lozenges, and specialty teas, founded in 1930 by Emil Richterich in Laufen, Switzerland. The company's core technology is a proprietary blend of 10 Swiss Alpine herbs — horehound, elder, hyssop, lemon balm, linden flowers, mallow, peppermint, sage, thyme, and wild thyme — cultivated by approximately 100 contract farmers across five Swiss regions (Valais, Emmental, Puschlav, southern Jura foothills, and Central Switzerland) under Bio Suisse organic standards. Herbs are processed through exclusive drying, cleaning, cutting, and blending procedures at the Ricola Herb Center in Laufen, with all production carried out in Switzerland. The portfolio spans over 60 product varieties, including the signature cube-shaped Original Herb drop (unchanged since 1940), sugar-free variants, MAX-strength relief drops, Honey Herb and Honey Lemon Echinacea variants, and the newly launched Mouthwatering Drops line (Lemon Lime Mint, Orange Mint, Grapefruit Mint) with Swiss Alpine salt for everyday hydration use cases. Annual production capacity stands at approximately 9 billion drops, equivalent to 43,000 drops per minute, processing 1,500 tonnes of fresh herbs per year.

The company generates revenue through one-time unit sales of branded OTC and confectionery products distributed via mass retail (Target, Walmart), drug stores, convenience stores, e-commerce platforms (Amazon), and the Ricola Experience Shop flagship in Laufen. Products are exported to 45 countries through regional subsidiaries in Europe, Asia (Singapore regional HQ), and the US (Parsippany, NJ distributor office), with US cough drop category market leadership retained in 2024. A second Swiss production facility in Lenzburg (acquired October 2024, former Hero AG jam factory) is scheduled to come online by end of 2026 to relieve Laufen capacity bottlenecks. The Richterich family retains ownership and board control under Chairman Raphael Richterich (elected May 2025), with Thomas Patrick Meier as Group CEO. Sustainability credentials include B Corp certification (first globally active confectionery company, 2023; recertified June 2026 at 97.8 impact score), Science Based Targets initiative alignment, Kosher and Halal certifications, and IP-SUISSE sugar sourcing partnerships dating back to 1989.

Name

Ricola

Legal name

Ricola Group AG

Website

https://ricola.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1930

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Ricola is a Swiss family-owned manufacturer founded in 1930 that produces herbal cough drops and throat lozenges from a proprietary 10-herb Swiss Alpine blend, exporting over 60 product varieties to 45 countries through mass retail, drug stores, and e-commerce channels.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Herbal Throat Lozenges and Cough Drops

NAICS

Nonchocolate Confectionery Manufacturing (31134)

SIC

Canned, Frozen & Preservd Fruit, Veg & Food Specialties (2030)

akta.pro primary industry

Oral Care Products (Toothpaste, Mouthwash, Dental Floss, Whitening) (CRADAMAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Tea (Leaf, Bagged, Instant, Concentrates) (CRADAHAE)

Keywords

• Herbal cough drops
• Throat lozenges
• Herbal confectionery
• Swiss herb drops
• Natural cough remedies

Headquarters

HQ city

Laufen

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Herbal Drop and Lozenge Sales: Ricola's primary revenue is generated through the one-time sale of herbal drop and throat lozenge products sold at mass retail, drug stores, convenience stores, and online. Products range from traditional menthol cough drops to the new Mouthwatering Drops line for dry mouth relief. The company sells over 60 varieties of herbal drops and specialty teas globally.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Ricola manufactures and sells herbal drops and throat lozenges formulated with a proprietary blend of 10 Swiss Alpine herbs, produced at its facility in Laufen, Switzerland. The company offers more than 60 varieties of herbal drops plus specialty teas, distributed in 45 countries through mass retail, drug stores, convenience stores, e-commerce, and its own Experience Shop. The 2026 Mouthwatering Drops line extends the portfolio into everyday hydration and dry mouth relief using Swiss Alpine salt and citrus flavors.

Product overview

Ricola is a Swiss confectionery company specializing in herbal drops and throat lozenges made with a signature blend of 10 Swiss Alpine herbs (horehound, elder, hyssop, lemon balm, linden flowers, mallow, peppermint, sage, thyme, wild thyme). The core product is Original Herb in its distinctive cube shape, available in multiple variants including sugar-free versions sweetened with aspartame or stevia. The product portfolio spans everyday throat care drops (Lemon Mint, Raspberry Mint, Berry Medley, Cherry) and products with added functional ingredients (Honey Herb with fair-trade honey, Honey Lemon Echinacea with Vitamin C, Throat Balm with pectin). The MAX line offers maximum-strength relief (MAX Throat Care in Honey Lemon and Swiss Cherry variants, MAX Nasal Care with highest menthol). In 2026, Ricola expanded beyond traditional cough/cold products into everyday hydration with the Mouthwatering Drops line (Lemon Lime Mint, Orange Mint, Grapefruit Mint) featuring Swiss Alpine salt. All products are manufactured in Switzerland, with offerings including vegan, gluten-free, kosher, and halal options. The company exports to over 45 countries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Ricola Foundation: Cultural and natural foundation established in 2010 to bridge nature and culture and promote sustainable living.
• Ricola Collection
• Emil and Rosa Richterich-Beck Foundation

Products and services

• Original Herb Signature cube-shaped herbal cough drop made with the proprietary 10 Swiss Alpine herbs blend and natural menthol; designed for consumers seeking relief from coughs due to cold or inhaled irritants and for soothing sore throats.
• Original Herb Sweetened with Stevia Sugar-free variant of the Original Herb cough drop, sweetened with stevia and featuring the same 10 Swiss Alpine herbs blend.
• Original Herb Sugar Free Sugar-free version of the classic Original Herb cough drop, sweetened with aspartame and containing the signature 10 Swiss Alpine herbs blend.
• Lemon Lime Mint with Swiss Alpine Salt Citrus-flavored herbal drop combining lemon and lime with Swiss Alpine salt and mint, sweetened with stevia and made with the signature 10-herb blend; positioned for everyday dry mouth relief and mouth hydration.
• Orange Mint with Swiss Alpine Salt Citrus herbal drop featuring real orange flavor balanced with Swiss Alpine salt and mint, sugar-free, and made with the 10 Swiss Alpine herbs blend; positioned for everyday dry mouth relief and mouth hydration.
• Grapefruit Mint with Swiss Alpine Salt Bright citrus herbal drop with grapefruit flavor elevated by Swiss Alpine salt and mint, sugar-free, and made with the 10 Swiss Alpine herbs blend; positioned for everyday dry mouth relief and mouth hydration.
• Lemon Mint Sugar-free herbal throat drop combining lemon balm extract with calming menthol to soothe everyday throat irritation, made with 10 Swiss Alpine herbs.
• Raspberry Mint Sugar-free herbal drop made with real raspberry juice concentrate, refreshing mint, and aromatic lemon balm blended with Ricola's signature 10-herb blend; positioned as a fruity pick-me-up for voice care.
• Berry Medley Naturally flavored throat drop with real berry juices (bilberry, black currant, raspberry) combined with the 10-herb Swiss Alpine blend, intended to refresh and soothe everyday throat irritations.
• Cherry Low-menthol herbal throat drop made with real cherry concentrate and the 10 Swiss Alpine herbs blend, designed to soothe minor throat irritation.
• Honey Herb Herbal cough drop combining Ricola's 10-herb blend with fair-trade honey, providing soothing relief for coughs and sore throats with a honey-sweetened taste.
• Honey Lemon Echinacea Triple-flavor herbal cough drop with real golden honey, lemon balm, and echinacea extracts, containing Vitamin C for added immune support alongside the 10 Swiss Alpine herbs.
• Throat Balm – Caramel Flavor Specialty throat drop formulated with pectin to coat and protect the throat against minor irritations, featuring an aromatic caramel flavor and a liquid honey center.
• MAX Throat Care – Honey Lemon The strongest Ricola cough drop in the portfolio, combining 10 Swiss Alpine herbs with a liquid honey center and extra menthol for powerful relief from severe cough and sore throat symptoms.
• MAX Throat Care – Swiss Cherry Strongest herbal cough drop in Swiss cherry flavor, combining 10 Swiss Alpine herbs with a liquid center and extra menthol for effective relief of cough and sore throat.
• MAX Nasal Care – Cool Menthol Ricola drop with the highest menthol concentration in the portfolio (15.3 mg), providing relief for severe sore throats while cooling and clearing nasal passages.

Quantifiable outcome

• 43,000 herbal drops produced per minute; 9 billion drops per year
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered minor, flagship and core.

• Arkansas TravelersminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 15 June 2026Ricola partnered with the Arkansas Travelers minor league baseball team for sampling activations supporting the Mouthwatering Drops product launch in summer 2026. The partnership involves in-event product sampling to drive consumer trial.
• Frisco RoughRidersminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 15 June 2026Ricola partnered with the Frisco RoughRiders minor league baseball team for sampling activations supporting the Mouthwatering Drops product launch in summer 2026. The partnership involves in-event product sampling to drive consumer trial.
• waterdropminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Ricola is partnered with waterdrop, a Vienna-founded hydration company that raised over €100 million in funding. The partnership involves new product development collaboration alongside waterdrop's direct-to-consumer and European retail expansion plans. Ricola's herbs are featured in waterdrop's product ecosystem.
• Swiss-SkiflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 October 2024Ricola entered a four-year partnership with Swiss-Ski as a Silver Partner Alpine. Ricola's logo appears on all alpine athletes' ski jackets starting from the 2024/25 ski season. The company has a physical presence at World Cup races in Adelboden, Wengen, and Crans-Montana, featuring a yellow fan zone, product sampling, and competitions. Ricola also sponsors #TeamRicola, supporting athletes including Niels Hintermann, Laura Huber, Isabella Pedrazzi, and Eric Wyler. A four-year partnership with speed specialist Niels Hintermann was also extended.
• EcovadisminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Ricola works with Ecovadis for supplier sustainability ratings to ensure social and environmental responsibility across its supply chain.
• SedexminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Ricola holds membership with Sedex, an ethical trade membership organization, to rate and monitor sustainability efforts across its supply chain.
• B Lab / B Lab SwitzerlandcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Ricola achieved B Corp certification through B Lab in 2023 (recertified June 2026), meeting high standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability verified by independent third-party assessment.
• IP-SUISSEcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1989Ricola has partnered with IP-SUISSE since 1989 to source sugar from farmers who follow strict ecological standards for climate-friendly and biodiverse agriculture. Ricola is the largest buyer of IP-SUISSE-certified sugar in Switzerland, requiring 190,000 tons annually. The partnership supports sustainable sugar beet cultivation and biodiversity in the supply chain.
• Bio Suisse (Swiss Organic Farming Organization)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1979Ricola's herbs are grown according to Bio Suisse standards, with around 100 contract farmers in Swiss mountain regions. Some farmers are certified organic; many others follow practices that meet stringent Bio Suisse guidelines. This partnership is foundational to Ricola's Swiss heritage positioning and product quality.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Wedderspoon: Wedderspoon is a US-based Manuka honey and herbal wellness brand with throat drop and lozenge offerings. It overlaps with Ricola in the natural throat care space and represents a comparable premium-natural positioning for health-conscious consumers.
• Beekeeper's Naturals: Beekeeper's Naturals is a North American emerging natural health brand featuring propolis-based throat sprays and lozenges. It competes with Ricola in the natural and clean-label throat care segment, particularly targeting younger consumers via DTC channels.

Broad incumbents

• Tetley (Tata Consumer Products): Tetley is a major global tea brand owned by Tata Consumer Products. While Ricola's tea business is a smaller part of its portfolio, Tetley is comparable for the specialty tea segment and provides a benchmark for international tea distribution scale.

Direct peers

• Strepsils (Reckitt Benckiser): Strepsils is Reckitt Benckiser's global throat lozenge brand, directly competing with Ricola's Honey Herb and MAX Throat Care SKUs. Both brands target sore throat and cough relief consumers via OTC and mass retail channels worldwide.
• Bigelow Tea: Bigelow Tea is a US family-owned specialty tea company with similar positioning to Ricola's specialty tea business. Both companies emphasize heritage, ingredient quality, and US mass retail distribution, making Bigelow a direct comparable for the tea segment.
• Halls (Mondelez International): Halls is the dominant mass-market cough drop brand in the US, owned by Mondelez International. It directly competes with Ricola in the same cough drop category with similar retail placement and similar price points, making it the closest direct peer for US market share dynamics.
• Lidén Farm / Luden's (Prestige Consumer Healthcare): Luden's is a heritage US throat lozenge brand owned by Prestige Consumer Healthcare. It directly competes with Ricola's everyday throat drop range (Lemon Mint, Cherry, Honey Herb) at the mass retail and drug store shelf, with similar price positioning.
• Vicks VapoDrops (Procter & Gamble): Vicks VapoDrops is Procter & Gamble's cough drop line extending the iconic Vicks cold-care brand. It competes head-to-head with Ricola in the menthol cough drop segment, leveraging the larger Vicks franchise for retail distribution and marketing support.
• Cepacol (Haleon): Cepacol is Haleon's (formerly GSK Consumer Healthcare) sore throat lozenge and spray brand. It competes with Ricola's MAX Throat Care line for the stronger-relief cough and sore throat consumer, with significant overlap in drug store and mass retail placement.
• Fisherman's Friend: Fisherman's Friend is a UK-origin strong menthol and herbal lozenge brand with similar positioning to Ricola's Original Herb and MAX lines. Both brands emphasize a distinctive herbal/menthol formulation, strong heritage, and global distribution, making them direct natural-comparable peers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/ricola
• Instagraminstagram.com/ricola_usa
• Xx.com/ricolausa
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ricola

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles25 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Ricola