Hershey Accused by Founder’s Grandson of Altering Reese's Ingredients
Brad Reese, grandson of Reese's inventor, claims Hershey replaced milk chocolate with compound coatings and peanut butter with peanut butter-style crème in its iconic Reese's products, eroding consumer trust and brand integrity. Hershey says recipe adjustments enable new shapes and sizes while preserving the chocolate-peanut combination during volatile cocoa prices.
1. Grandson Raises Quality Concerns
Brad Reese, grandson of Reese’s inventor, posted an open letter on Feb. 14 accusing Hershey of replacing milk chocolate with compound coatings and swapping peanut butter for peanut butter-style crème across multiple Reese’s items, arguing these changes undermine the brand’s legacy and consumer confidence.
2. Company Defends Recipe Adjustments
Hershey maintains that it occasionally modifies recipes to accommodate new product shapes and innovations, insisting that Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups retain their signature blend of chocolate and peanut butter even as it introduces variations to meet consumer demand.
3. Cocoa Prices and Consumer Reaction
Elevated cocoa prices in recent years prompted candy makers to adjust ingredient mixes; although cocoa costs have since fallen, consumers like Brad Reese report negative taste experiences with new items such as Valentine’s Day Mini Hearts, raising questions about long-term brand loyalty.