Reese’s Grandson Accuses Hershey of Ingredient Changes

The grandson of the founder of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups has accused the Hershey Company of using cheaper ingredients in their beloved candy, and this has reportedly led to a strong reaction from other family members.

Brad Reese, 70, said that his grandfather, H.B. Reese, created the popular treat, and now he alleges that Hershey has substituted a less expensive composite coating made from vegetable oil for milk chocolate. Additionally, he claims they’ve quietly replaced real peanut butter with a peanut butter-flavored cream.

“We can’t let this continue. They’re compromising the ingredient quality while charging the same prices, and I suspect they’re even downsizing the product,” Reese, a retiree from West Palm Beach, shared. “As part of the Reese family, I feel really embarrassed.”

In a response to these allegations, the Hershey Company stated that while the classic Peanut Butter Cup retains its original ingredients, they have “adjusted the recipe” for new variations to meet consumer preferences.

“Consumers are saying they prefer composite coatings!” Reese laughed, responding that this doesn’t rule out changes in other Reese’s products.

His criticisms quickly gained traction online, leading to a heartfelt plea from his cousin, who has a relative working at Hershey. In a text, she expressed concern over the situation.

“Brad, it’s Becky here. You’ve brought turmoil to our family and the company,” she wrote, according to a copy accessed by the Post. “Unfounded negative remarks are impacting stock prices. This is embarrassing for us. Please stop!”

Hershey’s stock was reported down about 0.9%, although it appeared to be on track for recovery the following day.

Brad’s cousin, a real estate agent nearby in Hershey, Pennsylvania, recognized that her message might have upset him but argued that it was simply a matter of her being “mean.” She suggested that he thrives on attention and noted that he’s upset over financial issues within the family.

In contrast, Brad claims family concerns revolve around Hershey’s stock value, which he attributes to a trust set up by his late father. He argued that many of their products, like Reese’s White Chocolate Cups and others, now incorporate cheap vegetable oils rather than true chocolate.

International food safety guidelines specify that a certain amount of cocoa butter is necessary for something to be called chocolate, rather than relying solely on vegetable oil.

“I understand why they’re concerned about the money. There’s a tendency to dilute quality when greed enters the picture,” he commented.

The tipping point for Brad came when he purchased a bag of the new peanut butter and chocolate hearts meant for Valentine’s Day.

“I had to throw it away. It was inedible. This was the first time I couldn’t finish a Reese’s product,” he revealed. “That really shook me. I realized, wow, I can’t even eat this stuff.”

Hershey’s website features products with names closely resembling earlier items, like “White Cream Peanut Butter Easter Eggs” and “Milk Chocolate Peanut Butter Cream Eggs.”

When asked for comments about Brad’s claims, his cousin acknowledged it’s certainly not the same as in the past, yet didn’t elaborate on specifics regarding ingredient adjustments.

Despite this, she indicated that his vocal discontent isn’t a recent phenomenon, suggesting he hasn’t visited a Reese factory in decades.

Brad argued that the issue mainly lies with misleading labeling, pointing out how ingredients labeled as “peanut butter cream” or “white cream” differ from their traditional counterparts.

For instance, the Valentine’s item he purchased was marketed as “Unwrapped Chocolate Peanut Butter Creme Mini Hearts” on retail websites.

Additionally, Brad speculated that his cousin might be worried about her daughter, who works at Hershey, facing backlash from colleagues about the situation.

“It’s just absurd. Hershey’s legal team has previously told him to stop discussing this,” she remarked, noting there had been no response from her daughter regarding the inquiries.