Hershey announced Wednesday it will revert to classic recipes for all Reese’s products starting in 2027, following criticism from Brad Reese, the grandson of the founder. The change comes after Brad Reese publicly criticized the company for shifting to cheaper ingredients in some products.
Key Takeaways
Hershey will revert to classic recipes for all Reese’s products starting in 2027 after criticism from Brad Reese, the grandson of the founder. The change affects a small portion of current products using cheaper ingredients.
- Hershey announces return to classic milk and dark chocolate recipes for Reese's products by 2027
- Changes follow public criticism from Brad Reese, who questioned ingredient quality in an open letter
- Company plans additional updates including natural colors and recipe enhancements for Kit-Kat
- Hershey increases research and development funding by 25% to support these changes
The current issue affects a small portion of Hershey and Reese's products like mini Easter eggs that use a coating with less chocolate. Starting next year, these products will be made with classic milk chocolate and dark chocolate recipes according to HuffPost, Los Angeles Times and CBS News. The company also plans other updates to its sweets portfolio including transitioning to natural colors and enhancing Kit-Kat’s recipe to make it creamier. Additionally, Hershey will increase research and development funding by 25% next year.
The controversy began when Brad Reese sent a public letter to Hershey's corporate brand manager on Valentine's Day questioning the company's use of cheaper ingredients. In his letter posted on LinkedIn, he asked how Hershey could continue to position Reese’s as its flagship brand while replacing key ingredients that built the brand's trust.
Hershey acknowledged some recipe changes but stated it was trying to meet consumer demand for innovation. High cocoa prices have also led the company and other manufacturers to experiment with using less chocolate in recent years according to Los Angeles Times. The Associated Press left a message with Brad Reese on Wednesday seeking comment.
Brad Reese, 70, told the New York Times that Hershey's announcement was 'just a PR stunt.' He argued that if the company were serious about restoring quality, it would implement changes immediately rather than waiting until 2027. According to Daily Mail, Hershey spokesperson Allison Kleinfelter responded that the company is moving with speed on these changes, which are targeted to begin in 2027 and will cover formulation, packaging, supply lines, and ingredient sourcing.
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