Hershey to Revert All Reese’s Products to Classic Recipes by 2024 After Criticism

Hershey has announced it will restore all Reese’s products to their classic recipes beginning in 2024, following criticism from Brad Reese, the grandson of the inventor of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. The company plans to return to the original milk and dark chocolate formulas to better meet consumer expectations and maintain brand authenticity, as reported by Inc Magazine and Daring Fireball.

The decision follows Brad Reese’s public accusation in February that Hershey had replaced traditional ingredients with cheaper alternatives, which he argued compromised the quality and authenticity of the products. The Guardian and Global News Canada detailed how Reese criticized Hershey for altering the recipe, calling the peanut butter used “not real.”

Although Hershey initially dismissed Brad Reese’s statements as a public relations tactic and noted that the family has no formal ties to his comments, the company acknowledged the backlash and decided to take action. According to Fox Business, less than 3% of Hershey’s product lineup will be affected by the recipe reversion, including Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups and select Hershey’s chocolates.

This restoration effort aims to reinforce consumer trust and align Hershey’s offerings with the brand’s heritage. The Independent and Fortune noted that consumer feedback played a critical role in prompting the change, illustrating the growing importance of ingredient transparency and product quality in the confectionery industry.

Going forward, Hershey will need to monitor consumer response closely as it implements the classic recipes, ensuring supply chain adjustments deliver the promised product consistency by 2024. The company’s approach could serve as a benchmark for other large confectioners facing similar pressures over product authenticity.