Hershey Will Return To Real Chocolate Following Backlash Over Recipe Changes
Tasting Table • • business
Key Points:
- The Hershey Company plans to revert to its classic milk and dark chocolate recipes for select Reese's and Hershey's products, replacing the current chocolate compound coatings, with changes fully taking effect by 2027.
- This decision follows criticism from Brad Reese, grandson of Reese's Peanut Butter Cup inventor, who expressed concerns about the use of compound coatings and altered peanut butter fillings compromising the brand's legacy.
- CEO Kirk Tanner stated that the company had planned these recipe adjustments prior to the public complaints, aiming to align products more closely with brand consistency.
- The recipe changes will impact a small portion of Hershey's products, affecting less than 3% of Reese's items, including mini Reese's cups and the Fast Break candy bar, which currently contain less real chocolate.
- Hershey also intends to enhance Kit Kat's recipe for a creamier chocolate flavor and phase out artificial coloring by late 2027.
