Grandson of Reese's founder accuses Hershey of 'quietly replacing' ingredients
Hershey said it makes 'product recipe adjustments' sometimes, but emphasized the cups 'are made the same way they always have been'
Author of the article:Eddie Chau
Published Feb 19, 2026 • Last updated 23 hours ago • 2 minute read
HERSHEY EARNS
Reese's Peanut Butter Cups and Hershey chocolate bars are arranged in New York, U.S., on Thursday, Oct. 18, 2007. Photo by Andrew Harrer /Bloomberg News
The grandson of the Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup inventor is calling out chocolate maker Hershey’s for “quietly replacing” the ingredients of the popular chocolate and peanut butter candy.
In a LinkedIn post published on Feb. 14, Brad Reese claimed the company replaced milk chocolate with compound coatings and peanut butter with peanut butter-style creme in its Reese’s products, which he believes erodes the brand and jeopardizes consumer trust.
Owned by The Hershey Company, products branded with the Reese’s name include Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups and Reese’s Pieces.
‘Real ingredients and real integrity’
“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 (Milk Chocolate + Peanut Butter) that built Reese’s trust in the first place?” Reese said in his post, which served as an open letter to Hershey’s corporate brand manager.
“Reese’s became iconic because my grandfather built it on real ingredients and real integrity,” Reese said in following LinkedIn post on Tuesday.
Brad Reese is the grandson of H.B. Reese, who worked at Hershey for two years before creating his own candy company in 1919.
In 1928, H.B. Reese invented Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups in the basement of his home in Hershey, Penn.
The original candy sold for between 1 and 5 cents, according to the Hershey Community Archives.
H.B. Reese’s six sons later sold the company to Hershey in 1963.
What Hershey says of the claims
In a statement, Hershey said it makes “product recipe adjustments” sometimes, but emphasized that Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups “are made the same way they always have been.”
“As we’ve grown and expanded the Reese’s product line, 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 perfect combination of chocolate and peanut butter,” the company said, per CBS News.
Food safety standards across international agencies such as the FDA in the United States require a certain amount of cocoa butter, not vegetable oil, to label products as real chocolate.
Driven by profits?
Reese believes Hershey went too far with its adjustments. He told The Associated Press that he recently tossed out a bag of Reese’s Mini Hearts because the heart-shaped treats are made from “chocolate candy and peanut butter creme” instead of milk chocolate and peanut butter.
“It was not edible,” he said. “You have to understand. I used to eat a Reese’s product every day. This is very devastating for me.”
Reese told the New York Post that he believes it’s an attempt to boost profit margins.
“I understand when it comes to my relatives’ pocketbooks, they would be concerned,” Reese said. “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.”
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torontosun.com
Hershey said it makes 'product recipe adjustments' sometimes, but emphasized the cups 'are made the same way they always have been'
Author of the article:Eddie Chau
Published Feb 19, 2026 • Last updated 23 hours ago • 2 minute read
HERSHEY EARNS
Reese's Peanut Butter Cups and Hershey chocolate bars are arranged in New York, U.S., on Thursday, Oct. 18, 2007. Photo by Andrew Harrer /Bloomberg News
The grandson of the Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup inventor is calling out chocolate maker Hershey’s for “quietly replacing” the ingredients of the popular chocolate and peanut butter candy.
In a LinkedIn post published on Feb. 14, Brad Reese claimed the company replaced milk chocolate with compound coatings and peanut butter with peanut butter-style creme in its Reese’s products, which he believes erodes the brand and jeopardizes consumer trust.
Owned by The Hershey Company, products branded with the Reese’s name include Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups and Reese’s Pieces.
‘Real ingredients and real integrity’
“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 (Milk Chocolate + Peanut Butter) that built Reese’s trust in the first place?” Reese said in his post, which served as an open letter to Hershey’s corporate brand manager.
“Reese’s became iconic because my grandfather built it on real ingredients and real integrity,” Reese said in following LinkedIn post on Tuesday.
Brad Reese is the grandson of H.B. Reese, who worked at Hershey for two years before creating his own candy company in 1919.
In 1928, H.B. Reese invented Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups in the basement of his home in Hershey, Penn.
The original candy sold for between 1 and 5 cents, according to the Hershey Community Archives.
H.B. Reese’s six sons later sold the company to Hershey in 1963.
What Hershey says of the claims
In a statement, Hershey said it makes “product recipe adjustments” sometimes, but emphasized that Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups “are made the same way they always have been.”
“As we’ve grown and expanded the Reese’s product line, 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 perfect combination of chocolate and peanut butter,” the company said, per CBS News.
Food safety standards across international agencies such as the FDA in the United States require a certain amount of cocoa butter, not vegetable oil, to label products as real chocolate.
Driven by profits?
Reese believes Hershey went too far with its adjustments. He told The Associated Press that he recently tossed out a bag of Reese’s Mini Hearts because the heart-shaped treats are made from “chocolate candy and peanut butter creme” instead of milk chocolate and peanut butter.
“It was not edible,” he said. “You have to understand. I used to eat a Reese’s product every day. This is very devastating for me.”
Reese told the New York Post that he believes it’s an attempt to boost profit margins.
“I understand when it comes to my relatives’ pocketbooks, they would be concerned,” Reese said. “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.”
Grandson of Reese’s founder alleges Hershey has switched to cheaper ingredients – sparking family feud
The grandson of the Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup creator is slamming the Hershey Company for downgrading product ingredients to cheaper alternatives – sparking outcry from his relatives, The Post has …
nypost.com
Grandson of Reese's Peanut Butter Cup inventor accuses Hershey of "quietly replacing" ingredients
Brad Reese claims Hershey is cutting costs by relying on cheaper ingredients, risking the Reese's brand.
cbsnews.com
H.B. Reese Candy Company – Hershey Community Archives
hersheyarchives.org
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An Open Letter to Todd Scott, Manager, Corporate Brand & Editorial at The Hershey Company Todd, As someone who has spent his career shaping narratives, elevating reputations and stewarding brand meaning, you understand better than most that a story only works when it is anchored in truth...
Grandson of Reese's founder accuses Hershey of 'quietly replacing' ingredients
Brad Reese claimed the company replaced its milk chocolate with compound coatings and peanut butter with peanut butter-style creme.