Why is Reese's grandson upset with Hershey?

Reese's grandson, Brad Reese, is upset because he alleges The Hershey Company has replaced milk chocolate and peanut butter with cheaper substitutes in Reese's products.

What caused chocolate companies to change ingredients?

Chocolate companies changed ingredients due to record-high cocoa prices above $12,000 per metric ton in late 2024, prompting them to use cheaper alternatives to cut costs.

How did Hershey respond to ingredient change accusations?

Hershey denied making drastic changes, stating that recipe adjustments are made to allow for new product innovations while protecting the essential chocolate and peanut butter combination.

Home / Business and Economy / Reese's Grandson Slams Candy's Ingredient Changes

Reese's Grandson Slams Candy's Ingredient Changes

18 Feb

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Summary

Reese's grandson criticizes Hershey's ingredient alterations.
Allegations include replacing milk chocolate with coatings.
Cocoa prices spiked, then dramatically fell, impacting farmers.

Reese's Grandson Slams Candy's Ingredient Changes

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.