Reese’s Founder’s Grandson Criticizes Hershey for Alleged Ingredient Change

The grandson of the inventor of the Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup is publicly voicing his concerns about The Hershey Company. Brad Reese, the grandson of H.B. Reese—whose company merged with Hershey in the 1960s—has accused the candy giant of subtly altering the recipes of certain iconic products.

In an open letter published on LinkedIn, Brad Reese claimed that Hershey has replaced traditional ingredients like milk chocolate and peanut butter with cheaper substitutes in various Reese’s products. He stated, “My grandfather built Reese’s on a simple, enduring architecture: milk chocolate + peanut butter. But today, Reese’s identity is being rewritten, not by storytellers, but by formulation decisions that replace milk chocolate with compound coatings and peanut butter with peanut‑butter‑style crèmes across multiple Reese’s products.”

CHOCOLATE BARS PULLED FROM SHELVES NATIONWIDE OVER SALMONELLA CONCERNS

Brad Reese, grandson of Reese’s founder H.B. Reese, sounded off on The Hershey Company in an open letter Saturday. (Arne Dedert/picture alliance via Getty Images / Getty Images)

In an interview with FOX Business, Brad Reese shared his recent experience with Reese’s Unwrapped Chocolate Peanut Butter Creme Mini Hearts candies, noting a significant change in taste. “I went and bought a bag, and I took a couple bites, and I had to throw the bag in the garbage,” he recounted. “I couldn’t eat it. It was not edible, and I looked at the packaging … and there was no milk chocolate, there was no peanut butter — it was all vegetable oils and fats.”

He further alleged that products like Reese’s Take 5 and Fast Break are no longer coated in milk chocolate, and that in some European markets, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups have also lost their milk chocolate coating. Brad Reese argues that these changes compromise the legacy and integrity of the brand his grandfather established.

HERSHEY RAISING CHOCOLATE PRICES BY DOUBLE-DIGITS AS COCOA COSTS SOAR: REPORT

Reese argues that the changes undermine his grandfather’s legacy. (Lindsey Nicholson/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images / Getty Images)

“I can’t go on representing being the grandson of Reese’s when the product is total bunk,” Brad Reese expressed to FOX Business. “You have no idea how devastating it is.”

In response to the criticism, Hershey defended its practices, asserting that its flagship product remains unchanged. “Our iconic Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups are made the same way they always have been; starting with roasting fresh peanuts to make our unique, one-of-a-kind peanut butter that is then combined with milk chocolate,” the company stated in an email to FOX Business.

However, Hershey did acknowledge that it has made recipe adjustments as it expands the brand into new shapes and variations. “We make product recipe adjustments that allow us to make new shapes, sizes, and innovations that Reese’s fans have come to love and ask for, while always protecting the essence of what makes Reese’s unique and special: the perfect combination of chocolate and peanut butter,” the company added.

US RETAILERS LOWERING PRICES ON HERSHEY’S CANDY AHEAD OF HALLOWEEN: REPORT

Hershey pushed back, insisting their “iconic Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups are made the same way they always have been; starting with roasting fresh peanuts to make our unique, one-of-a-kind peanut butter that is then combined with milk chocolate.” (Ryan Collerd/Bloomberg via Getty Images / Getty Images)

This controversy arises amid broader challenges facing the chocolate industry, which has been grappling with rising costs. Over the past two years, many chocolate makers have modified their recipes due to soaring cocoa prices, which reached record highs in late 2024. Last July, Hershey announced price increases across its candy portfolio, citing an “unprecedented” rise in cocoa costs.

Since then, cocoa prices have begun to decline, influenced by weakening demand and improving supply conditions, according to reports from Reuters.

The grandson of the inventor of the Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup is publicly voicing his concerns about The Hershey Company. Brad Reese, the grandson of H.B. Reese—whose company merged with Hershey in the 1960s—has accused the candy giant of subtly altering the recipes of certain iconic products.

In an open letter published on LinkedIn, Brad Reese claimed that Hershey has replaced traditional ingredients like milk chocolate and peanut butter with cheaper substitutes in various Reese’s products. He stated, “My grandfather built Reese’s on a simple, enduring architecture: milk chocolate + peanut butter. But today, Reese’s identity is being rewritten, not by storytellers, but by formulation decisions that replace milk chocolate with compound coatings and peanut butter with peanut‑butter‑style crèmes across multiple Reese’s products.”

CHOCOLATE BARS PULLED FROM SHELVES NATIONWIDE OVER SALMONELLA CONCERNS

Brad Reese, grandson of Reese’s founder H.B. Reese, sounded off on The Hershey Company in an open letter Saturday. (Arne Dedert/picture alliance via Getty Images / Getty Images)

In an interview with FOX Business, Brad Reese shared his recent experience with Reese’s Unwrapped Chocolate Peanut Butter Creme Mini Hearts candies, noting a significant change in taste. “I went and bought a bag, and I took a couple bites, and I had to throw the bag in the garbage,” he recounted. “I couldn’t eat it. It was not edible, and I looked at the packaging … and there was no milk chocolate, there was no peanut butter — it was all vegetable oils and fats.”

He further alleged that products like Reese’s Take 5 and Fast Break are no longer coated in milk chocolate, and that in some European markets, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups have also lost their milk chocolate coating. Brad Reese argues that these changes compromise the legacy and integrity of the brand his grandfather established.

HERSHEY RAISING CHOCOLATE PRICES BY DOUBLE-DIGITS AS COCOA COSTS SOAR: REPORT

Reese argues that the changes undermine his grandfather’s legacy. (Lindsey Nicholson/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images / Getty Images)

“I can’t go on representing being the grandson of Reese’s when the product is total bunk,” Brad Reese expressed to FOX Business. “You have no idea how devastating it is.”

In response to the criticism, Hershey defended its practices, asserting that its flagship product remains unchanged. “Our iconic Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups are made the same way they always have been; starting with roasting fresh peanuts to make our unique, one-of-a-kind peanut butter that is then combined with milk chocolate,” the company stated in an email to FOX Business.

However, Hershey did acknowledge that it has made recipe adjustments as it expands the brand into new shapes and variations. “We make product recipe adjustments that allow us to make new shapes, sizes, and innovations that Reese’s fans have come to love and ask for, while always protecting the essence of what makes Reese’s unique and special: the perfect combination of chocolate and peanut butter,” the company added.

US RETAILERS LOWERING PRICES ON HERSHEY’S CANDY AHEAD OF HALLOWEEN: REPORT

Hershey pushed back, insisting their “iconic Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups are made the same way they always have been; starting with roasting fresh peanuts to make our unique, one-of-a-kind peanut butter that is then combined with milk chocolate.” (Ryan Collerd/Bloomberg via Getty Images / Getty Images)

This controversy arises amid broader challenges facing the chocolate industry, which has been grappling with rising costs. Over the past two years, many chocolate makers have modified their recipes due to soaring cocoa prices, which reached record highs in late 2024. Last July, Hershey announced price increases across its candy portfolio, citing an “unprecedented” rise in cocoa costs.

Since then, cocoa prices have begun to decline, influenced by weakening demand and improving supply conditions, according to reports from Reuters.