Hershey to revert Reese’s products to classic recipes after criticism

Grandson of founder criticized cheaper ingredients.

Reese's mini peanut butter cups
Old will be new again FILE PHOTO: Reese's will return to its original recipe after criticism. (Ana - stock.adobe.com)

Hershey is changing its formulas for Reese’s products after the grandson of the Reese’s founder spoke out about the use of cheaper ingredients.

Brad Reese had sent a letter to Hershey’s corporate brand manager on Valentine’s Day about the replacement of milk chocolate and peanut butter, The Associated Press reported.

“How does The Hershey Co. continue to position Reese’s as its flagship brand, a symbol of trust, quality and leadership, while quietly replacing the very ingredients (Milk Chocolate + Peanut Butter) that built Reese’s trust in the first place?” he wrote in the letter he posted to LinkedIn.

Hershey said it had changed the recipe to meet demand for innovation and to address rising cocoa costs.

While the Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups were still made with real chocolate, mini Easter eggs had less than those in the past. But starting next year, they will be returned to “their classic milk chocolate and dark chocolate recipes,” Hershey announced.

Reese told NBC News, “If this is true, the people who deserve the credit are the loyal fans who were alarmed by what Hershey was doing,” adding, “But I am seeing a lot of red flags here. I think what Hershey is trying to do here is change with PR narrative.”

Other changes are on tap as well, including using more natural colors and making Kit-Kat’s creamer, the AP reported.

“Hershey is committed to making products consumers love and that means continually reviewing our recipes to meet evolving tastes and preferences,” the company said in a statement.

CEO Kirk Tanner told Bloomberg the change was in the works before Reese’s letter went viral.

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