Reese's Isn't the Same Anymore: Brad Reese, Reese's Inventor's Grandson, Accused Hershey's of Changing the Formula

Reese's Peanut Butter Cups is one of the most popular chocolate candies in the world and is loved by many for its iconic signature dense, slightly crumbly peanut paste that perfectly balances sweet and salty under a milk chocolate coating.

However, the brand is now making headlines for a different reason: a scathing call-out from Brad Reese, the grandson of the candy's inventor. Reese has publicly accused The Hershey Company of changing the formula and swapping out authentic ingredients for cheaper alternatives.

Reese's Grandson Calls Out Hershey's

In a LinkedIn post dated 14 February, Reese, 70, penned an open letter addressed to Todd Scott, Hershey's Manager of Corporate Brand & Editorial: 'REESE'S identity is being rewritten, not by storytellers, but by formulation decisions.' He alleged that the company was 'quietly' replacing its signature ingredients — milk chocolate and peanut butter — with 'compound coatings' and 'peanut‑butter‑style crèmes' across multiple REESE'S products.

He added, 'How does The Hershey Co. continue to position Reese's as its flagship brand, a symbol of trust, quality and leadership, while quietly replacing the very ingredients (Milk Chocolate + Peanut Butter) that built Reese's trust in the first place?'

Reese warned that the reformulation risks damaging the chocolate's legacy: 'A good story requires honesty, transparency, and respect for the audience (REESE'S consumers).'

'Right now, the REESE'S story is diverging from what's inside REESE'S products. And that divergence puts REESE'S and the legacy behind it, at risk,' he added.

The creator's grandson continued, 'I'm not asking for nostalgia. I'm asking for alignment. For truth in REESE'S brand stewardship. For a corporate narrative from The Hershey Company that reflects the REESE'S product consumers are actually receiving.'

Reese's Verdict: Product 'Not Edible'

Reese later spoke with the Associated Press and said that the company went too far and described some products as 'not edible.' He revealed that he recently threw out a bag of Reese's Mini Hearts, a new product for Valentine's Day. In the packaging, it says that the heart-shaped candies are made from 'chocolate candy and peanut butter crème,' rather than milk chocolate and peanut butter, which greatly disappointed Reese.

'It was not edible,' he said. 'You have to understand. I used to eat a Reese's product every day. This is very devastating for me.'

He also claimed that Reese's Peanut Butter Cups sold in Europe, the United Kingdom, and Ireland are different from the US versions.

Hershey's Response

On Wednesday, 18 February, Hershey's issued a statement insisting that Reese's Peanut Butter Cups are made the same way as they have always been — with milk chocolate and peanut butter that the company made from roasted peanuts, including a few other ingredients such as sugar and salt.

The company acknowledged that some Reese's ingredients vary. 'As we've grown and expanded the Reese's product line, we make product recipe adjustments that allow us to make new shapes, sizes, and innovations that Reese's fans have come to love and ask for, while always protecting the essence of what makes Reese's unique and special: the perfect combination of chocolate and peanut butter,' they said.

The company also disputed the claims that Reese's Peanut Butter Cups in the European Union and United Kingdom are different from the US version. They said that they use the same recipe and that labels are the only thing that varies, as countries require milk chocolate products to have higher percentages of cocoa, milk solids, and milk fats.

Last year, Hershey's Chief Financial Officer Steven Voskuil said the company made some changes in its formulas, although he didn't disclose which product. He insisted that there was 'no consumer impact.' He said, 'As you can imagine, even on the smallest brand in the portfolio, if we were to make a change, there's extensive consumer testing.'

Reese concluded by stating that he supports innovation, but only if it maintains the quality that made Reese's iconic. 'I absolutely believe in innovation, but my preference is innovation with quality,' he said.