Grandson of Reese’s Founder Accuses Hershey of Diluting Iconic Candy Recipes With Cheaper Ingredients, Company Defends Changes

UNITED STATES — A family member of the man who invented Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups is publicly criticizing The Hershey Co., accusing the candy giant of quietly replacing key ingredients in some Reese’s products with cheaper alternatives.

Brad Reese, 70, the grandson of H.B. Reese, says the company has harmed the brand’s legacy by shifting from milk chocolate and peanut butter to compound coatings and peanut butter crème in certain products.

Heir Questions Brand Integrity

In a Feb. 14 letter addressed to Hershey’s corporate brand manager and later shared on LinkedIn, Reese questioned how the company can continue positioning Reese’s as a flagship symbol of “trust, quality and leadership” while altering ingredients that built the brand’s reputation.

“How does The Hershey Co. continue to position Reese’s as its flagship brand … while quietly replacing the very ingredients (Milk Chocolate + Peanut Butter) that built Reese’s trust in the first place?” Reese wrote.

H.B. Reese founded his own candy company in 1919 after working at Hershey for two years. He invented Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups in 1928, and his six sons eventually sold the business to Hershey in 1963.

Specific Product Changes Alleged

Brad Reese claims that several Reese’s products have undergone recipe changes in recent years. He cited Reese’s Take5 and Fast Break bars, which he said were once coated in milk chocolate but are no longer.

He also criticized seasonal products like Reese’s Mini Hearts, released for Valentine’s Day, noting that packaging identifies them as being made with “chocolate candy and peanut butter crème” instead of milk chocolate and peanut butter.

“It was not edible,” Reese said in an interview, explaining that he used to eat a Reese’s product daily. “This is very devastating for me.”

He also alleged that White Reese’s products, once made with white chocolate, now use a white crème instead.

Hershey Responds to Criticism

Hershey acknowledged that some recipe adjustments have been made but strongly defended the integrity of its flagship product. The company stated that classic Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups are still made with milk chocolate and peanut butter produced in-house from roasted peanuts, along with sugar and salt.

“As we’ve grown and expanded the Reese’s product line, we make product recipe adjustments that allow us to make new shapes, sizes and innovations … while always protecting the essence of what makes Reese’s unique and special,” Hershey said.

The company pointed to rising cocoa prices as one reason manufacturers across the industry have experimented with formulations in recent years.

Regulatory Standards and Labeling

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has strict requirements for products labeled as milk chocolate. To qualify, items must contain at least 10% chocolate liquor, along with minimum levels of milk solids and milk fat.

Manufacturers can use alternative wording such as “chocolate candy” when products do not meet those standards.

Hershey also disputed Reese’s claim that European versions differ from U.S. products, stating that recipe consistency remains the same but labeling varies due to different regulatory requirements in the European Union and United Kingdom.

Balancing Innovation and Tradition

Hershey executives have previously stated during investor calls that formula adjustments were made carefully and did not impact consumer taste. The company says extensive testing is conducted before any changes are finalized.

But Brad Reese insists that innovation should not come at the expense of quality, echoing a famous quote from Milton Hershey: “Give them quality, that’s the best advertising.”

The debate highlights broader industry pressures, including rising ingredient costs and evolving consumer demand for new shapes, flavors, and seasonal offerings.

Do you think recipe changes affect the legacy of iconic brands like Reese’s, or is innovation necessary to stay competitive? Share your thoughts in the comments and follow national business coverage at SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com.