Reese Family Heir Slams Hershey Over Alleged Recipe Changes

Few candy brands are as iconic as Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. But now, the grandson of the man who created them says the recipe that made the candy famous is quietly being replaced.

Brad Reese, grandson of founder H.B. Reese, is publicly accusing The Hershey Company of altering ingredients in parts of the Reese’s product line substituting traditional milk chocolate and peanut butter with lower-cost alternatives.

The dispute over alleged Reese’s recipe changes comes at a time when rising cocoa prices and inflation have forced food manufacturers to make difficult financial decisions.

In an open letter, Brad Reese claimed that some newer Reese’s products use compound coatings instead of milk chocolate and peanut-butter-style crème instead of traditional peanut butter.

He recounted purchasing Reese’s Unwrapped Chocolate Peanut Butter Creme Mini Hearts and noticing an immediate difference.

“I had to throw the bag in the garbage,” he said, alleging the ingredient list reflected vegetable oils and fats rather than the classic milk chocolate and peanut butter combination his grandfather pioneered.

Brad Reese also claimed that certain variations including Reese’s Take 5 and Fast Break may no longer use milk chocolate coatings in some markets, and that overseas formulations differ as well.

The Hershey Company firmly rejected the suggestion that its flagship product has changed.

“Our iconic Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups are made the same way they always have been,” the company said, emphasizing that fresh-roasted peanuts and milk chocolate remain central to the original formula.

However, Hershey acknowledged that recipe adjustments have been made for new shapes, sizes, and product innovations.

In other words, while the classic cup may remain untouched, certain seasonal or specialty products could feature modified ingredients designed to reduce costs or improve shelf stability.

The Reese’s recipe changes controversy unfolds against a broader industry backdrop.

Cocoa prices surged to record highs in late 2024, driven by:

• Crop disease affecting West African cocoa production.

• Extreme weather impacting yields.

• Supply chain disruptions.

• Rising global demand for chocolate.

At one point, cocoa futures more than doubled compared to historical averages. In response, major candy manufacturers including Hershey implemented price increases across product lines.

According to industry data, cocoa accounts for roughly 30–40% of the production cost of a standard chocolate bar. When commodity prices spike, companies face three options:

• Raise retail prices.

• Reduce package sizes (shrinkflation).

• Reformulate recipes with alternative ingredients.

Many companies have opted for some combination of all three.

H.B. Reese founded the H.B. Reese Candy Company in 1928 before it was acquired by Hershey in 1963. Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups have since become one of the top-selling candies in the United States, generating billions in annual revenue.

The brand’s identity has long centered on a simple formula: milk chocolate and peanut butter.

Brad Reese argues that altering that foundation even in select product lines undermines the integrity of the brand.

“I can’t go on representing being the grandson of Reese’s when the product is total bunk,” he said, expressing frustration over what he sees as a departure from his grandfather’s vision.

The broader issue resonates with consumers who have grown increasingly sensitive to ingredient substitutions amid inflation.

Food prices overall rose sharply over the past several years, with grocery costs climbing more than 20% since 2020, according to federal data. As manufacturers adapt to volatile commodity markets, shoppers are paying closer attention to ingredient labels.

Cocoa prices have since eased somewhat, as improved supply forecasts and cooling demand stabilize the market. Whether companies will revert to previous formulations remains unclear.

For now, the Reese’s recipe changes debate highlights a tension many legacy brands face: preserve tradition at higher cost, or adapt formulas to protect margins.

In a marketplace where brand loyalty runs deep, even small changes can spark big reactions.

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