Hershey announced on Wednesday its decision to revert all Reese’s products back to their original recipes beginning next year. This move comes after the grandson of the brand’s founder criticized the company for switching to lower-cost ingredients.
Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups have traditionally been crafted with genuine milk or dark chocolate and peanut butter. However, a small selection of Hershey’s and Reese’s items, such as mini Easter eggs, now feature a coating containing reduced chocolate content.
The company disclosed that it would transition these products back to their “classic milk chocolate and dark chocolate recipes” by 2027. In addition, Hershey, headquartered in Hershey, Pennsylvania, revealed plans to make various adjustments to its confectionery portfolio in the upcoming year. These changes include transitioning to natural colors and enhancing the creaminess of Kit Kat’s recipe. Hershey also intends to boost its research and development funding by 25% next year.
In a statement, the company expressed its commitment to crafting products that resonate with consumers’ preferences and tastes by continuously refining its recipes. Brad Reese, the grandson of the creator of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, stirred up the controversy by addressing a 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 position as its flagship brand, synonymous with trust, quality, and leadership, while secretly substituting the original ingredients (Milk Chocolate + Peanut Butter) that laid the foundation for Reese’s trust.
Hershey acknowledged making some alterations to recipes but emphasized its efforts to meet evolving consumer demands for innovation. Escalating cocoa prices have prompted Hershey and other industry players to explore using less chocolate in their products in recent times.
The Associated Press attempted to reach out to Brad Reese for comment on Wednesday. Brad Reese is the grandson of H.B. Reese, who spent two years at Hershey before establishing his candy company in 1919. H.B. Reese introduced Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups in 1928, and his six sons eventually sold the company to Hershey in 1963.