Hershey to Restore Classic Recipes for Reese's Products Amid Criticism
Hershey announces plans to revert certain Reese's products to their original recipes following public criticism from the founder's grandson.
The Hershey Company has announced plans to revert certain Reese's products to their original milk and dark chocolate recipes by 2027. This decision follows public criticism from Brad Reese, grandson of Reese's founder H.B. Reese, who accused the company of altering ingredients to include cheaper alternatives.
In a statement, Hershey acknowledged that some products, such as mini Easter eggs, had been made with coatings containing less chocolate. The company committed to transitioning these items back to their classic recipes. Additionally, Hershey plans to make other changes to its sweets portfolio, including transitioning to natural colors and enhancing Kit-Kat's recipe to make it creamier. The company also announced a 25% increase in research and development funding to support these initiatives.
Brad Reese's public letter, posted on LinkedIn, questioned the company's commitment to quality and tradition, stating that the brand's identity was being "rewritten" by corporate decisions to use compound coatings and peanut-butter-style crèmes. Hershey responded by emphasizing its dedication to evolving consumer tastes while preserving brand trust.
