US EditionHershey Accused of Hurting Reese's Brand
Brad Reese alleges Hershey replaced milk chocolate and peanut butter with cheaper substitutes in some Reese's products amid rising cocoa costs, sparking debate on ingredient transparency.
- On Feb. 14, Brad Reese, 70, grandson of H.B. Reese, went viral after accusing Pennsylvania's Hershey Company of swapping milk chocolate for compound coatings and peanut butter for peanut-butter-style crème.
- Industry cost pressures prompted chocolate companies including The Hershey Company to make cost-effective ingredient swaps as cocoa prices rose roughly 70% in 2024.
- Several secondary and seasonal items demonstrate changes: Reese's Mini Hearts now list "chocolate candy and peanut butter cr�me," while a 2023 government database shows Reese's Peanut Butter Eggs list sugar and vegetable oil first, with no milk chocolate.
- Hershey defended its flagship product while acknowledging recipe adjustments for seasonal shapes and sizes, saying packaging and formulations can vary by size, season and region.
- Within the week, Brad Reese's post sparked public discussions about brand integrity, ingredients, and legacy, while he redesigned his personal website to seek 'truth in REESE'S brand stewardship,' and whether changed products will revert remains unclear.
17 Articles
17 Articles
How Hershey Removed Real Chocolate From Several Products — and What It’s Using Instead
As Hershey adapts to higher commodity costs, its own disclosures show which items still meet the FDA’s milk chocolate standard — and which don’t.Food & Wine / Getty ImagesKey PointsBrad Reese, grandson of the Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup creator, alleges that The Hershey Company has replaced milk chocolate and peanut butter with cheaper alternatives in many Reese’s products.The Pennsylvania-based company acknowledged that “recipe adjustments” have …
Reese's heir accuses Hershey of cutting corners
The grandson of the man who invented the Reese's Peanut Butter Cup has a message for Hershey: that's not milk chocolate, and it's definitely not peanut butter. Brad Reese, 70, said in a Feb. 14 letter to Hershey's corporate brand manager that for multiple Reese's products, the company replaced milk chocolate with compound coatings and peanut butter with peanut crème. — Read the rest The post Reese's heir accuses Hershey of cutting corners appea…
Reese’s grandson accuses Hershey of degrading chocolate, making it ‘not edible.’ Is he right?
H.B. Reese spent two years at Hershey before leaving to form his own company and inventing Reese's Peanut Butter Cups in 1928. His grandson says Reese's is ruining that legacy by cutting corners.
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