Hershey announced on Wednesday its decision to revert all Reese’s products to their original recipes starting from next year, following criticism from the grandson of the brand’s founder over the shift to lower-cost ingredients. While Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups have traditionally been crafted with genuine milk or dark chocolate and peanut butter, a segment of Hershey’s and Reese’s items, such as mini Easter eggs, currently feature a coating with reduced chocolate content.
The company disclosed its plan to return these products to their “classic milk chocolate and dark chocolate recipes” in 2027. Additionally, Hershey, headquartered in Hershey, Pennsylvania, revealed upcoming modifications to its confectionery lineup for the coming year, including the transition to natural colors and an enhancement of Kit Kat’s formula to achieve a creamier texture. Hershey also outlined a 25% boost in research-and-development funding for the next year.
In a statement, the company emphasized its dedication to crafting products that resonate with consumers, stating, “Hershey is committed to making products consumers love and that means continually reviewing our recipes to meet evolving tastes and preferences.”
The grandson of the inventor of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, Brad Reese, sparked the controversy by sending a public letter to Hershey’s corporate brand manager on Valentine’s Day. “How does The Hershey Co. continue to position Reese’s as its flagship brand, a symbol of trust, quality, and leadership, while quietly replacing the very ingredients (Milk Chocolate + Peanut Butter) that built Reese’s trust in the first place?” Reese queried in the letter, shared on his LinkedIn profile.
Hershey acknowledged making some recipe adjustments but emphasized its efforts to respond to consumer demands for innovation. Escalating cocoa prices have prompted Hershey and other industry players to explore formulations with reduced chocolate content in recent times.
The Associated Press reached out to Brad Reese for comment on Wednesday, but there was no immediate response. H.B. Reese, the grandfather of Brad Reese, briefly worked at Hershey before establishing his confectionery company in 1919. He introduced Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups in 1928, with his sons eventually selling the business to Hershey in 1963.