Reese's Chocolate Heir Accuses Hershey of Altering Recipes and Faking Pledge
The grandson of HB Reese, the inventor of Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, has launched a scathing accusation against the chocolate giant Hershey, claiming the company faked a pledge to investors to switch back to original milk and dark chocolate recipes for popular products, including KitKat. Brad Reese, 70, alleges that Hershey has been "quietly replacing" ingredients with cheaper alternatives, sparking a confectionary-focused dispute that began in February.
Allegations of Ingredient Drift and PR Stunts
At a recent Hershey investor conference, the company announced plans to transition about 3% of select products to original recipes by next year, while maintaining that Reese's Peanut Butter Cups have never been altered. Stacy Taffet, Hershey's chief growth officer, stated the company is moving to natural colors and ensuring consistency with classic recipes. However, Reese dismissed this as a "PR stunt," arguing that if Hershey were serious, changes would be implemented immediately. He described the situation as an "ingredient drift across flagship brands" and a "board level accountability problem" that has led shareholders to sell stock.
Personal Taste Test Sparks Outrage
Reese's crusade intensified after he tried Reese's Unwrapped Chocolate Peanut Butter Creme Mini Hearts, which he found unpalatable. "I opened it up, and I had about two of them, and I had to spit them out," he recounted. "I checked it and it wasn't milk chocolate, it wasn't real peanut butter. I've never in my entire life spit out a Reese's product." He claims Hershey changed recipes after acquiring the Reese's brand in the 1960s, replacing milk chocolate with compound coatings and peanut butter with peanut-butter-style crèmes.
Family Disagreement and Company Response
Despite Reese's allegations, his family members have distanced themselves from his complaints, issuing a statement via Hershey to USA Today that his views are his own and do not reflect the family's position. They expressed respect for Hershey and belief that HB Reese would be proud of the current products. Hershey has stated that recipe changes were already underway, driven by a 25% increase in research and development funding, not in response to Reese's criticism. Reese remains unconvinced, accusing the company of trying to "shoot the messenger" and manage perception rather than fix the problem.
