Reese’s Grandson Criticizes Hershey Co. for Ingredient Changes

The grandson of the creator of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups expressed disappointment on Tuesday, mentioning that he hasn’t received any communication from Hershey Co. after publicly criticizing the brand. He pointed out what he sees as a lack of respect from company leaders towards the Reese family.

On February 14, Brad Reese, the grandson of H.B. Reese—who founded the iconic candy in 1928—posted an open letter. In it, he voiced his worries over changes to the product’s ingredients.

“How can The Hershey Company market Reese as a trusted brand while secretly altering the very ingredients that established that trust—milk chocolate and peanut butter?” he reflected.

While appearing on a program hosted by Glenn Beck, who dubbed the situation the “Chocolate Wars,” Reese was pressed about whether Hershey had addressed his concerns regarding the alterations to the recipe.

“Nothing. Zero,” Reese replied.

He described the company’s attitude as condescending, especially towards his family, adding, “They seem to be very arrogant and only reach out when they need something.”

In response, Hershey stated, “As we’ve expanded the Reese’s product line, we have always remained committed to the core elements that make Reese’s unique: the ideal blend of chocolate and peanut butter, while also evolving our recipes to include new shapes, sizes, and innovations that fans appreciate.”

Reese explained that his ongoing tensions with the company stem from several years back, particularly citing a situation in 2002 where he helped prevent a proposed sale of Hershey.

“The Reese family has been integral in creating wealth for the company,” he emphasized, insisting that the family’s contributions have significantly elevated the brand’s value.

He touched on various internal struggles related to the Hershey Trust and issues with past corporate leadership. He mentioned a cousin who served as the company’s general counsel and later took on a leadership role at the Hershey Trust Company. In that role, his cousin worked on addressing conflicts within the trust.

Reese remarked on what he viewed as a lost chance for Hershey when it tried, unsuccessfully, to acquire Cadbury Schweppes for $19 billion. He claimed that the deal seemed almost secured before Kraft acquired Cadbury instead.

Pointing to what he believed were conflicts of interest involving past executives and advisors linked to rival offers, he stated, “Talk about a conflict of interest.”

Additionally, he questioned whether decisions driven solely by profit would be sustainable in the future. “Wall Street may welcome higher margins at any public expense,” he noted. “But I’m focused on longevity. Is this approach beneficial in the long term?”

Ultimately, he stressed that his concerns stem from a desire to protect what he believes to be his grandfather’s legacy and questioned if current corporate strategies align with the brand’s future interests.

No comment was forthcoming from Hershey regarding inquiries made by Blaze News.