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Reese's Grandson Slams Candy's Ingredient Changes
18 Feb
Summary
- Reese's grandson criticizes Hershey's ingredient alterations.
- Allegations include replacing milk chocolate with coatings.
- Cocoa prices spiked, then dramatically fell, impacting farmers.
Brad Reese, grandson of the creator of Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, has voiced strong criticism against The Hershey Company via social media. He alleges that the company has deviated from his grandfather's original recipe, replacing essential ingredients like milk chocolate and peanut butter with less expensive alternatives across various Reese's products.
These claims arise as the confectionery industry grappled with extreme cocoa price fluctuations. Cocoa prices surged to over $12,000 per metric ton in late 2024, leading many companies to reformulate products with cheaper, non-cocoa ingredients to manage costs. However, prices have since fallen sharply, creating difficulties for cocoa farmers in Ghana and Ivory Coast who are now struggling to sell their stockpiled beans.
In response to the allegations, Hershey has asserted that while recipe adjustments are made for product line expansions and innovations, they are carefully managed to preserve the beloved essence of Reese's. The company maintains that the core combination of chocolate and peanut butter remains central to its products.
