Hershey announced on Wednesday that it will revert all Reese’s products to their original recipes next year, following criticism from the grandson of the brand’s founder regarding the use of cheaper ingredients. While Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups have traditionally included real milk or dark chocolate and peanut butter, a small portion of Hershey’s and Reese’s items, such as mini Easter eggs, currently feature a coating with reduced chocolate content.
In 2027, Hershey confirmed plans to transition these products back to their traditional milk chocolate and dark chocolate formulations. Additionally, the Hershey-based company revealed upcoming modifications to its confectionery lineup in the coming year, including a shift to natural colors and an enhancement of Kit Kat’s recipe for a creamier texture. The company expressed its intention to boost research and development funding by 25% in the next fiscal year.
In a statement, Hershey emphasized its dedication to crafting products that resonate with consumers’ preferences and tastes, stating, “Hershey is committed to making products consumers love and that means continually reviewing our recipes to meet evolving tastes and preferences.”
The controversy was sparked by Brad Reese, the grandson of the inventor of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, who raised concerns in a public letter to Hershey’s corporate brand manager on Valentine’s Day. In the letter, which he shared on his LinkedIn profile, Reese questioned how Hershey could maintain Reese’s as its flagship brand embodying trust, quality, and leadership while quietly substituting the core ingredients that originally established trust in Reese’s.
Acknowledging the alterations to some recipes, Hershey justified its actions as an attempt to respond to evolving consumer preferences and demands for innovation. Escalating cocoa prices have prompted Hershey and other confectionery makers to explore reducing chocolate content in recent times.
The Associated Press reached out to Brad Reese for comment, but no response was received at the time of reporting. H.B. Reese, the grandfather of Brad Reese, briefly worked at Hershey before establishing his candy company in 1919. Reese introduced Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups in 1928, with his sons later selling the business to Hershey in 1963.