Babybel cheese is changing its iconic red packaging - News + Articles

Jan 22, 2026

Nobody puts Babybel in the corner.

It’s the lunchbox staple we all grew up with – the yummy cheese snack with the iconic red wax coating that was great for moulding into things like fake noses or miniature sculptures of your school principal. Now Babybel cheese is set for a shake-up, with producer the Bel Group announcing that it will be using a new form of packaging.

Fortunately for bored schoolchildren everywhere, the beloved red wax remains, but the cellophane packaging will now be replaced by responsibly sourced recyclable paper packaging. The change is being rolled out across all Babybel manufacturing sites, with consumers in the United States, Canada and Northern Europe likely to see the change some time this year. However, Aussie Babybel fans won’t be seeing any changes for at least another year, a Bel Group spokesperson confirmed to news.com.au

Since late 2020, Babybel has used a bio-based, home-compostable cellophane. This new paper packaging “represents a significant technical and industrial challenge, the outcome of several years of research and development”, according to a Bel Group statement. “Packaging plays a critical role: preserving product quality over time, ensuring microbiological safety and withstanding temperature variations,” it continues.

What type of cheese is Babybel?

The original Babybel is a very mild, semi-hard cheese inspired by Dutch edam cheese. The product is also now available in a high-protein format, and other countries also have Babybel products available in Light, Gouda, Mozza, Cheddar, Emmental, Monterey Jack and Caractère flavours.

Related story: The kids’ cheeses that adults secretly love

Why is Babybel wrapped in wax?

In the company statement, the Bel Group says that “Babybel’s iconic red wax shell remains unchanged, as it is essential to product protection, integrity and taste.” This isn’t just some marketing guff – the wax coating creates an airtight barrier that protects the cheese against mould and bacteria, while also preventing moisture loss, which allows it to keep that lovely springy texture. This means it can be stored without refrigeration. The wax is made from a blend of paraffin and microcrystalline waxes and colouring. It’s food-safe, which means you don’t have to stress if your kid accidentally swallows some of it.

Why is Babybel round?

The round shape allows the wax coating to fully cover every part of the cheese. Much like traditional edam cheese, a round shape also makes the cheese suitable for transporting, with no sharp corners that could be knocked or damaged in transit. The shape also allows for easy access to the cheesy goodness inside, as this video demonstrates.