Grandson of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup inventor accuses Hershey of “quietly replacing” ingredients

Brad Reese, the grandson of the inventor of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, has recently criticized The Hershey Co. for what he claims is a quiet replacement of the candy’s flagship chocolate and peanut butter ingredients. Reese took to LinkedIn last week to express his concerns, stating that the company has swapped out milk chocolate for compound coatings and peanut butter for peanut butter-style crème in various Reese’s products. According to Reese, this move has not only eroded the brand’s integrity but also jeopardized consumer trust in the iconic candy.

The lineage of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups dates back to H.B. Reese, who founded his own candy company in 1919 after spending time at Hershey. In 1928, H.B. Reese introduced the world to Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, which quickly became a beloved treat. Eventually, H.B. Reese’s company was acquired by Hershey in 1963, solidifying the brand’s place in the candy industry.

Reese emphasized that the success of Reese’s was built on real ingredients and integrity, values that he believes are being compromised by Hershey’s recent ingredient substitutions. He recounted how he recently tried a bag of Reese’s Mini Hearts, a new Valentine’s Day product, only to find that they were made with “chocolate candy and peanut butter crème” instead of milk chocolate and peanut butter. Disappointed by the taste, Reese expressed his dismay, stating that he used to enjoy a Reese’s product every day but found the new recipe inedible.

Hershey, in response to the criticism, defended its decisions by stating that it occasionally makes product recipe adjustments to introduce new shapes, sizes, and innovations to the Reese’s product line. The company assured consumers that Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups are still made in the same way they always have been, maintaining the perfect combination of chocolate and peanut butter that fans love.

However, Reese pointed out that Hershey has made changes to multiple Reese’s products over the years, including Reese’s Take5 and Fast Break bars, which no longer use milk chocolate coatings. He also noted discrepancies between U.S. and European versions of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, with the latter being described as having a “milk chocolate-flavored coating and peanut butter crème.”

Despite Hershey’s claims that consumer testing ensures no impact on taste, Reese has heard from numerous people who feel that Reese’s products no longer taste as good as they once did. He urged Hershey to remember a quote from its founder, Milton Hershey, “Give them quality, that’s the best advertising,” emphasizing the importance of maintaining quality in product innovation.

As the debate over ingredient substitutions in Reese’s products continues, consumers may be left wondering whether the iconic candy will retain its original taste and appeal. Reese’s legacy hangs in the balance as Hershey navigates the delicate balance between innovation and tradition in its product development.