Reese family heir challenges Hershey’s over ingredient changes and claims iconic peanut butter cups no longer match the original recipe in the United States

The world of chocolate is witnessing a surprising showdown.

Brad Reese, grandson of H.B. Reese—the man who created the iconic Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups in 1928—is publicly taking on Hershey’s, accusing the company of “cutting corners” and changing the recipe that built the candy’s legendary reputation.

What started as a family invention has become a corporate battleground over taste, tradition, and trust.

The Letter That Shook Hershey’s

Last week, Brad Reese went straight to Hershey’s top brass, sending an open letter to corporate executive Todd Scott.

Posted on LinkedIn, the letter did more than just voice concern—it launched a public challenge.

“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 wrote.

He argued that the candy’s identity was being rewritten not by storytelling, but by “formulation decisions” that swapped milk chocolate for compound coatings and peanut butter for peanut‑butter‑style crèmes in multiple products.

A Family Fortune Built on Chocolate

H.B. Reese developed his peanut butter cups after spending two years at Hershey’s.

When he passed away in 1956, the business stayed in the family until 1968, when his six sons sold Reese’s to Hershey’s for 666,316 company shares.

Over the decades, those shares have grown to be worth over $3 billion, cementing the Reese family’s status as chocolate royalty.

Brad Reese’s complaints are more than nostalgic—they reflect a deep connection to the family legacy.

He recalled throwing away a bag of Reese’s Mini Hearts, a limited-time Valentine’s Day product made from “chocolate candy and peanut butter crème,” calling them “inedible.”

What Hershey’s Says

Hershey’s insists the iconic Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups are still made using milk chocolate and roasted peanut butter.

The company acknowledges that with over 100 products in the Reese’s line, some ingredients vary to allow for new shapes, sizes, and seasonal innovations.

“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,” the company stated.

Hershey’s CFO Steven Voskuil confirmed last year that some formula adjustments had been made, largely to manage rising cocoa costs, but emphasized that the “taste profile and the specialness of our iconic brands” remained unchanged.

The Science Behind Chocolate

Brad Reese is drawing attention to a key technical point: the difference between “milk chocolate” and “chocolate candy.”

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has strict requirements for products labeled milk chocolate, including minimum percentages of chocolate liquor, milk solids, and milk fat.

Products that don’t meet these standards may be labeled “chocolate candy,” which often contains vegetable oils or palm oils instead of real chocolate.

Reese argues that several Hershey’s products—including Take5, Fast Break, and European versions of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups—have substituted real chocolate with cheaper alternatives.

Hershey’s disputes this, claiming European products comply with local standards and maintain the same recipe, despite differences in packaging.

A Taste Debate That Hits Close to Home

For Brad Reese, the controversy is deeply personal.

“I used to eat a Reese’s product every day. This is very devastating for me,” he said.

Many fans share his concern, claiming the taste of Reese’s has changed over time.

While Brad supports innovation, he emphasizes that it should never come at the expense of quality.

What’s Next?

The battle over Reese’s ingredients is likely to continue in public and behind the scenes.

Brad Reese has already made his voice heard, and consumer sentiment could sway corporate decisions.

Some speculate that this might lead to renewed transparency about ingredients or even a limited “classic recipe” line to appease purists.

Legal action seems unlikely for now, but brand reputation and consumer trust are on the line.

Summary

Brad Reese is challenging Hershey’s, accusing the company of altering the original Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups recipe with cheaper ingredients.

While Hershey’s insists the iconic candy remains true to its roots, the heir claims products like Mini Hearts and European versions use imitation chocolate and peanut butter alternatives.

The dispute highlights a tension between innovation, cost-cutting, and preserving a beloved chocolate legacy.

Consumers may now face a closer look at labels to ensure they’re getting the classic Reese’s taste they grew up loving.