Hershey to Restore Classic Reese's Recipes

Hershey announced on Wednesday that it will revert to using classic recipes for all Reese’s products beginning in 2027. This decision follows public criticism from Brad Reese, the grandson of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups founder H.B. Reese, regarding a shift towards cheaper ingredients in some products.

Controversy Over Ingredient Changes

Traditionally, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups have been made with real milk or dark chocolate and peanut butter. However, Hershey had begun using a coating with a lower chocolate content in a small portion of its products, such as mini Easter eggs. Brad Reese publicly challenged this change in a letter to Hershey’s corporate brand manager on Valentine’s Day.

Grandson's Public Letter

In his letter, posted on LinkedIn, Brad Reese questioned how Hershey could maintain Reese’s reputation for quality while “quietly replacing the very ingredients that built Reese’s trust in the first place?” Hershey acknowledged making some recipe adjustments but stated they were attempting to meet consumer demand for innovation.

Factors Influencing the Change

Rising cocoa prices have prompted Hershey and other manufacturers to explore ways to reduce chocolate content in recent years. Despite these economic pressures, Hershey has committed to returning to the original recipes for its Reese’s line.

Additional Product Updates

Beyond Reese’s, Hershey plans to implement other changes to its product portfolio next year. These include transitioning to natural colors and enhancing the recipe for Kit Kat bars to create a creamier texture. The company also intends to increase its research and development funding by 25% in the coming year.

Hershey's Statement

“Hershey is committed to making products consumers love and that means continually reviewing our recipes to meet evolving tastes and preferences,” the company stated.

The Reese Family Legacy

H.B. Reese, who previously worked at Hershey for two years, founded his own candy company in 1919. He invented Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups in 1928, and his company was later sold to Hershey by his six sons in 1963.