Hershey announced on Wednesday its decision to revert all Reese’s products to their original recipes starting next year. This move comes after criticism from the grandson of the brand’s founder regarding the company’s shift to more cost-effective ingredients.
While Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups have traditionally been crafted with authentic milk or dark chocolate and peanut butter, a subset of Hershey’s and Reese’s products, such as mini Easter eggs, have recently featured a coating with reduced chocolate content. Hershey confirmed that these products will be transitioned back to their “classic milk chocolate and dark chocolate recipes” by 2027.
In addition to this recipe adjustment, the Hershey-based company disclosed plans for other modifications to its confectionery lineup in the upcoming year. These changes include transitioning to natural colors and enhancing Kit Kat’s formula to achieve a creamier texture. Hershey also intends to boost its research-and-development funding by 25% next year.
In a statement, the company emphasized its dedication to crafting products that resonate with consumers’ tastes and preferences, 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 creator of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, who penned a public letter to Hershey’s corporate brand manager on Valentine’s Day. In the letter, Reese questioned how Hershey could maintain Reese’s as its flagship brand while altering the foundational ingredients that established trust in the brand.
Acknowledging some adjustments to recipes, Hershey explained that it aimed to align with evolving consumer demands for innovation. Escalating cocoa prices have prompted Hershey and other industry players to explore ways to reduce chocolate content in their products in recent years.
The Associated Press reached out to Brad Reese for comment but received no immediate response. Reese is the grandson of H.B. Reese, the creator of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, who founded his candy company in 1919 after a stint at Hershey. In 1963, his six sons sold the company to Hershey.
It’s been nearly two years since Hershey acquired its former chocolate factory in Smiths Falls, Ont., with limited details released about the company’s future plans amidst shifting economic conditions in Canadian food manufacturing.
