Brad Reese, the grandson of the creator of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, has criticized The Hershey Co., alleging that the company has harmed the Reese’s brand by switching to lower-cost ingredients in many of its products. Hershey has acknowledged making some alterations to recipes, attributing the changes to meeting evolving consumer preferences and coping with high cocoa prices that have prompted manufacturers to explore using less chocolate in recent times.
In a letter dated February 14 to Hershey’s corporate brand manager, Brad Reese highlighted that for multiple Reese’s items, Hershey had substituted milk chocolate with compound coatings and peanut butter with peanut creme. He questioned how The Hershey Co. could maintain Reese’s status as a flagship brand embodying trust, quality, and leadership while discreetly replacing the original ingredients that had established Reese’s reputation.
Hershey responded by affirming that Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups remain crafted with milk chocolate and homemade peanut butter derived from roasted peanuts, sugar, and salt. However, the company acknowledged that certain Reese’s ingredients may differ due to recipe adjustments aimed at introducing new shapes, sizes, and innovations while preserving the core essence of the brand’s distinctive blend of chocolate and peanut butter.
Brad Reese expressed strong disapproval of Hershey’s changes, citing an instance where he discarded a bag of Reese’s Mini Hearts after finding that the candies were made from “chocolate candy and peanut butter creme” instead of milk chocolate and peanut butter. Reese, who previously consumed Reese’s products daily, described the altered product as inedible and deeply disappointing.
While Hershey maintains that Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups in the U.S. adhere to the original recipe, Reese pointed out variations in other Reese’s products, such as Take5 and Fast Break bars, which he claims no longer feature milk chocolate coatings. Additionally, he noted discrepancies in White Reese’s formulations over the years, from white chocolate to white creme. Reese also highlighted differences between U.S. and European versions of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, with the latter marketed as having a “milk chocolate-flavored coating and peanut butter creme.”
Hershey clarified that the recipe for Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups sold in the European Union and the United Kingdom aligns with the U.S. version but varies in labeling due to different cocoa, milk solids, and milk fat content regulations. The company emphasized its commitment to maintaining the taste profiles and uniqueness of its iconic brands through careful formula adjustments.
Despite Hershey’s assurances of preserving product quality, Brad Reese noted feedback from consumers indicating a decline in the taste of Reese’s products. Quoting Milton Hershey, the company’s founder, Reese emphasized the importance of prioritizing quality alongside innovation to uphold the brand’s legacy.
