Hershey says it will shift back to classic Reese's recipe after backlash
CBS News • • business
Key Points:
- Hershey announced it will revert to classic milk and dark chocolate recipes for all Reese's products by 2027, responding to criticism over the use of cheaper ingredients in some items like mini Easter eggs.
- The company plans additional changes in 2024, including switching to natural colors and enhancing KitKat's recipe for creaminess, alongside a 25% increase in research and development funding.
- Brad Reese, grandson of Reese's founder H.B. Reese, publicly criticized Hershey for altering the original ingredients that established the brand's reputation for quality and trust.
- Hershey defended its recipe modifications as efforts to innovate and respond to consumer preferences, also noting that high cocoa prices have influenced the use of less chocolate in some products.
- H.B. Reese originally created Reese's Peanut Butter Cups in 1928, and his family sold the company to Hershey in 1963; Brad Reese's letter has sparked renewed attention to the brand's ingredient integrity.
