The Hershey Company announced it will revert to using “classic milk and dark chocolate recipes” in the majority of its Reese’s and Hershey’s products by 2027. This decision comes after public outcry and criticism regarding changes to the classic formulas in some of its spinoff products.

Reese’s Grandson Voices Concerns

Brad Reese, grandson of H.B. Reese – the inventor of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups – has been a vocal critic of Hershey’s alterations. His complaints about the use of chocolate-flavored coatings instead of real chocolate gained significant attention earlier this year.

“If this is true, the people who deserve the credit are the loyal fans who were alarmed by what Hershey was doing,” Reese told NBC News on Wednesday. However, he expressed skepticism, stating, “But I am seeing a lot of red flags here. I think what Hershey is trying to do here is change with PR narrative.” Reese emphasized his reliance on his own taste buds, adding, “If something like the Valentine’s Day Reese’s Mini Heart still doesn’t taste like real milk chocolate next year, I’ll know they’re lying.”

Hershey’s Announcement and Plans

Hershey CEO Kirk Tanner revealed the company’s plans during a Tuesday interview with Bloomberg. “We’re going to make some small investments to really align the portfolio to what the brand stands for,” Tanner said. “That consistency is important across the brand.”

Expanding the Change

Starting next year, candies inspired by the originals, such as mini Reese’s cups and shapes, and the Reese’s Fast Break candy bar, will also be made with real milk chocolate. Classic Hershey’s chocolate bars will also return to using “pure milk and dark chocolate.” The company also plans to “enhance” the Kit Kat candy bar “for a creamier taste and texture.”

Limited Impact and Future Goals

Hershey stated that the shift back to real chocolate will affect less than three percent of Reese’s products and a small portion of Hershey’s products. The company also announced it is “on track” to remove all artificial colors from its products by the end of next year.

Timeline and Prior Claims

Tanner asserted that the decision to revert to real chocolate was in progress before Reese’s public complaints. “Right when I started with the company, we did a deep dive across our portfolio,” said Tanner, who joined Hershey in August 2025. Reese disputed this claim, stating, “You know when this became an issue? Valentine’s Day. This has been going on since Valentine’s Day.”

Origins of the Complaint

Reese initially raised concerns after discovering that some Reese’s-inspired products, like the Valentine’s Day Reese’s Mini Hearts, used a chocolate-flavored coating instead of milk chocolate. He shared a letter of complaint on LinkedIn, invoking his grandfather’s commitment to the original “Milk Chocolate + Peanut Butter” formula.

Products Affected

While the core Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups recipe has remained unchanged since 1928, products like Reese’s Mini Eggs and Reese’s Pieces currently do not contain milk chocolate, according to their labels. Hershey reiterated that the core recipes for its Hershey’s chocolate bars and Reese’s peanut butter cups have not changed.