Reese's Founder's Grandson Accuses Hershey of Secretly Changing Candy Ingredients
Brad Reese, the grandson of H.B. Reese who invented the iconic Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, has publicly criticized The Hershey Company for what he describes as "quietly replacing" key ingredients in some Reese's products. In a LinkedIn post published on February 14, 2026, Reese claimed the company has substituted milk chocolate with compound coatings and peanut butter with peanut butter-style creme in certain items.
Allegations of Ingredient Substitution
Reese expressed concern that these changes undermine the brand's integrity and erode consumer trust. "How does The Hershey Company continue to position Reese's as its flagship brand, a symbol of trust, quality and leadership, while quietly replacing the very ingredients that built Reese's trust in the first place?" Reese wrote in his open letter to Hershey's corporate brand manager.
He emphasized that his grandfather built the brand on "real ingredients and real integrity," suggesting the current formulations deviate from this original philosophy. Reese specifically mentioned tossing out a bag of Reese's Mini Hearts because they were made with "chocolate candy and peanut butter creme" instead of authentic milk chocolate and peanut butter.
Hershey's Response to the Claims
In response to these allegations, Hershey issued a statement acknowledging they sometimes make "product recipe adjustments" but emphasized that Reese's Peanut Butter Cups "are made the same way they always have been." The company explained that as they've expanded the Reese's product line, they make adjustments to create new shapes, sizes, and innovations while maintaining what makes Reese's special: the combination of chocolate and peanut butter.
"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 company stated.
Historical Context and Family Legacy
H.B. Reese worked at Hershey for two years before founding his own candy company in 1919. He invented Reese's Peanut Butter Cups in 1928 in the basement of his home in Hershey, Pennsylvania, originally selling them for between one and five cents each. His six sons later sold the company to Hershey in 1963.
Brad Reese told The Associated Press that the ingredient changes have been personally devastating, noting that he used to eat a Reese's product every day. He suggested to the New York Post that the motivation behind the ingredient substitutions might be financial, stating, "The greed of people and their money. I think they'd be okay with the ingredients being watered down as long as they're gonna make more money."
Regulatory Considerations
Food safety standards across international agencies, including the FDA in the United States, require specific amounts of cocoa butter rather than vegetable oil to label products as real chocolate. This regulatory framework adds context to discussions about ingredient quality and labeling accuracy in the confectionery industry.
The controversy highlights ongoing tensions between maintaining traditional recipes and adapting products for modern manufacturing, distribution, and profitability considerations in the competitive candy market.
