Hershey to return to classic Reese’s recipe after founder’s grandson criticizes brand

The Hershey Company plans to tweak the chocolate used in a small portion of its Reese’s and Hershey’s products following criticism from a descendant of the Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup founder over ingredient changes.

The chocolate maker said it will phase out certain compound coatings and transition those products to traditional milk or dark chocolate by 2027. The change is expected to affect less than 3% of Reese’s items and a small portion of its broader portfolio, according to Bloomberg.

"[We're] bringing a small portion of remaining Hershey's and Reese's products in line with their classic milk and dark chocolate recipes," a spokesperson for The Hershey Company told FOX Business in an email. "The core recipes for our Hershey's chocolate bars and Reese's peanut butter cups have not changed."

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Most Hershey’s products, including its flagship chocolate bars and standard Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, already use traditional chocolate. The updates will apply to select items such as the Reese’s Fast Break bar, some Mini Reese’s and certain foil-wrapped products, Bloomberg reported.

Hershey CEO Kirk Tanner said the decision to adjust ingredients was made shortly after he took on the role last summer.

The chocolate maker is also revising the Kit Kat recipe to create a creamier chocolate taste and plans to eliminate artificial colors from its products by the end of 2027, according to the outlet.

The changes follow recent criticism from Brad Reese, the grandson of H.B. Reese, who accused the company earlier this year of lowering ingredient quality in some products. 

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In a February LinkedIn post, he alleged Hershey had replaced traditional ingredients like milk chocolate and peanut butter with cheaper alternatives.

Reese on Wednesday dismissed the company’s latest announcement, calling it "a PR move" and "total bunk."

"I don't look at this as a win," Reese told FOX Business.

He also questioned the timeline, suggesting the company is delaying meaningful action.

"They're just hoping this will die down, and it'll be business as usual by 2027," Brad Reese said. "If they were really serious, they would do it right away."

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Hershey pushed back in a statement to FOX Business, noting that Reese has no official connection to the company or brand. 

The company also cited a statement from other members of the Reese family distancing themselves from his remarks.

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"Our family would like to make it clear that we have no involvement in, nor do we support, the recent claims made by Brad Reese regarding The Hershey Company. His statements and opinions are entirely his own and do not reflect the view or position of our family," the family recently said in a statement. 

"We continue to respect The Hershey Company, its leadership, and its longstanding role in our community. We believe H.B. Reese would take great pride in the products produced under his name today and in the integrity with which the brand continues to be managed."