Hershey to Revert to Original Reese’s Recipe After Founder’s Grandson Speaks Out

A public complaint from the grandson of Reese’s founder has pushed Hershey to reaffirm its commitment to tradition. The company now plans to shift products back to classic recipes, while also addressing growing scrutiny over ingredient changes and brand identity.

Hershey has announced plans to return Reese’s products to their original recipes starting in 2027, following criticism from Brad Reese, the grandson of Reese’s inventor H.B. Reese.

His public comments sparked renewed attention on ingredient changes, brand trust, and how legacy products evolve over time.

Grandson Criticizes Recipe Changes

Brad Reese shared his concerns in a public letter sent on Valentine’s Day to Hershey’s corporate brand manager. In the letter, he expressed disappointment with newer formulas used in some Reese’s products and questioned whether the brand had drifted from its roots.

"My grandfather, H. B. Reese built Reese's on a simple, enduring architecture: Milk Chocolate + Peanut Butter. Not a flavor idea. Not a marketing construct. A real, tangible product identity that consumers have trusted for a century," Reese wrote.

He also questioned how The Hershey Company continues to present Reese’s as a flagship brand while, in his view, altering the ingredients that originally built consumer trust and loyalty.

Reese said his frustration was not theoretical but based on personal experience. He described throwing away a bag of Reese’s Mini Hearts, a seasonal Valentine’s Day product.

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

Hershey Responds to Concerns

In response to the criticism, Hershey emphasized that its core products have not changed.

“Hershey is committed to making products consumers love and that means continually reviewing our recipes to meet evolving tastes and preferences,” the company said in a statement to PEOPLE. "The core recipes for our Hershey's chocolate bars and Reese's peanut butter cups have not changed."

The company clarified that while its standard Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups continue to use traditional formulations, some seasonal products differ slightly. Items such as Easter eggs may use coatings that contain less chocolate than the original recipe.

Hershey also confirmed that it plans to increase its research and development funding by 25% next year. This move reflects a broader effort to balance innovation with consumer expectations.

Recipe Changes Were Already Planned

Although the announcement about returning to original recipes came after Reese’s public comments, Hershey CEO Kirk Tanner said the decision was not a reaction.

According to Tanner, plans to adjust ingredients and refocus on classic formulations were made shortly after he took on the role. This timeline suggests the shift was already underway before Reese’s letter drew public attention.

Reese Family Distances Itself

Despite Brad Reese’s strong stance, other members of the Reese family clarified that his comments do not represent their views.

"Our family would like to make it clear that we have no involvement in, nor do we support, the recent claims made by Brad Reese regarding The Hershey Company," the family said.

"His statements and opinions are entirely his own and do not reflect the view or position of our family," they added. "We continue to respect The Hershey Company, its leadership, and its longstanding role in our community. We believe H.B. Reese would take great pride in the products produced under his name today and in the integrity with which the brand continues to be managed."

The situation highlights an ongoing challenge for established brands: how to modernize without losing identity. While Hershey maintains that its core recipes remain unchanged, the conversation sparked by Brad Reese has brought renewed focus to authenticity and consumer expectations.

With plans to return to original formulations, the company appears to be reinforcing its connection to tradition while continuing to evolve.