Reese's Family Heir Launches Public Attack on Hershey's Ingredient Changes
The grandson of the man who invented Reese's Peanut Butter Cups has launched a blistering public attack against Hershey's, accusing the chocolate giant of secretly using cheaper ingredients in versions of the iconic candy. Brad Reese, 70, grandson of founder H.B. Reese, published an open letter last week directly challenging Hershey's corporate executive Todd Scott over what he calls the "rewriting" of the candy's history.
Open Letter Accuses Hershey's of Betraying Trust
"How does The Hershey Co. 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 LinkedIn-published letter. He specifically accused the company of replacing milk chocolate with compound coatings and peanut butter with peanut-butter-style crèmes across multiple Reese's products.
"REESE'S identity is being rewritten, not by storytellers, but by formulation decisions," the chocolate heir declared in his strongly-worded correspondence.
Historical Context and Family Legacy
H.B. Reese created peanut butter cups in 1928 after spending two formative years working at Hershey's. Following his death, Reese's six sons sold the brand to Hershey's in 1968 for 666,316 company shares. Through decades of stock splits and appreciation, the Reese family's holdings have grown to be worth more than $3 billion today.
Despite this financial success, Brad Reese considers himself the steward of the Reese's brand legacy and has taken a strong stand against what he perceives as quality erosion.
Hershey's Response and Recipe Variations
Hershey's has firmly denied replacing the original Reese's Peanut Butter Cups recipe, while acknowledging that ingredient variations exist across their extensive product line of more than 100 different Reese's items. In an official statement this week, the company maintained that Reese's Peanut Butter Cups continue to be made exactly as they always have been, using milk chocolate and peanut butter made from roasted peanuts, sugar, and salt.
"As we've grown and expanded the Reese's product line, we make product recipe adjustments that allow us to create new shapes, sizes and innovations that Reese's fans have come to love," Hershey's explained, while emphasizing their commitment to protecting "the essence of what makes Reese's unique and special."
Specific Product Complaints and Taste Issues
In an interview with the Associated Press, Brad Reese revealed he recently discarded a bag of Reese's Mini Hearts, a limited-time Valentine's Day product, describing them as "inedible." These particular candies are made from "chocolate candy and peanut butter crème" rather than the original milk chocolate and peanut butter combination.
"You have to understand. I used to eat a Reese's product every day. This is very devastating for me," the chocolate heir confessed, highlighting his personal connection to the brand.
Chocolate Standards and Packaging Clues
The Food and Drug Administration maintains strict standards for products labeled as milk chocolate in the United States. Genuine milk chocolate must contain at least 10 percent chocolate liquor, 12 percent milk solids, and 3.39 percent milk fat. Consumers can distinguish between real chocolate and cheaper alternatives by examining packaging labels carefully.
Products labeled "milk chocolate" meet these standards, while those marked "chocolate candy" typically contain vegetable oils or palm oils instead of genuine chocolate. Brad Reese points to Hershey's Mr. Goodbar, Take5, and Fast Break bars as examples of products using "chocolate candy" rather than authentic milk chocolate coatings.
International Variations and Cost-Cutting Measures
The controversy extends beyond American borders, with Brad Reese claiming that peanut butter cups sold in Europe, the United Kingdom, and Ireland use imitation chocolate unlike their US counterparts. Hershey's disputes this allegation, stating that European products use the same recipe but different packaging to comply with European Union milk chocolate standards.
Hershey's Chief Financial Officer Steven Voskuil acknowledged during a recent investor conference call that the company has implemented some formula changes, primarily to manage rising cocoa costs. While not specifying which products were affected, Voskuil maintained that Hershey's has preserved the "taste profile and the specialness of our iconic brands" through extensive consumer testing.
Fundamental Disagreement on Quality and Innovation
Brad Reese remains unconvinced by these assurances, reporting that numerous consumers have told him Reese's products no longer taste as good as they once did. "I absolutely believe in innovation, but my preference is innovation with quality," Reese stated, drawing a clear distinction between product development and what he views as ingredient degradation.
This public dispute between the Reese family heir and the corporate giant that now owns his grandfather's creation reveals deep tensions between brand heritage and modern manufacturing realities in the competitive confectionery industry.
