Hershey’s to Return Reese’s to Traditional Recipe
In response to recent criticism, Mr. Hershey announced that Reese’s will revert to its classic recipe, following concerns raised by the grandson of candy inventor H.B. Reese. The company revealed on Wednesday plans for all Reese’s products to return to their original milk chocolate and dark chocolate formula by 2027. Additionally, Hershey aims to remove artificial colors from its entire candy range and is set to enhance Kit Kat bars with creamier recipes. They also noted an intention to boost research and development spending by 25% next year.
In a company statement, Hershey emphasized its commitment to creating beloved products, stating, “This means we consistently review our recipes to adapt to changing tastes and preferences.”
The uproar began with a Valentine’s Day open letter penned by Brad Reese. He expressed his discontent after purchasing a bag of Reese’s Unwrapped Mini Hearts, only to find them unpalatable. He shared his experience on Fox Business, where he mentioned, “I went to buy a bag, took a couple bites, and then I had to throw the bag in the trash. I couldn’t eat it. There was no milk chocolate, no peanut butter. It was all vegetable oil.”
Reports from Bloomberg indicate that the changes will impact less than 3% of Reese’s offerings along with a few Hershey products. CEO Kirk Tanner noted that these adjustments were in progress prior to Brad Reese’s public remarks and started soon after he took over in the summer of 2025. The products involved include certain mini Reese’s cups, seasonal foil-wrapped shapes, and Reese’s Fast Break candy bars.
“We’re going to make some small investments to align our portfolio with what the brand stands for,” Tanner explained. He emphasized the importance of consistency across the brand.
Meanwhile, Hershey’s CFO, Stephen Voskuil, stated during a 2025 investor call that the formulation changes would have “no impact to consumers.” However, Brad Reese contested this, claiming many people had told him that Reese’s candy didn’t taste as good as it once did.
Following the February backlash, Hershey’s stock price experienced a decline, though recent reports indicate it remains stable despite concerns about broader market conditions. The stock is still shown to be up 14%, bolstered by expectations of increased profits due to higher prices among other factors.
