The grandson of the man who invented Reese's Peanut Butter Cups is publicly criticizing Hershey for allegedly replacing original ingredients with cheaper alternatives. Brad Reese posted an open letter on social media claiming the company has moved away from his grandfather's simple milk chocolate and peanut butter formula.
The family legacy behind one of America’s most beloved candies is speaking out against corporate changes to the original recipe.
Brad Reese, whose grandfather H.B. Reese invented the iconic Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup, has publicly challenged The Hershey Company over what he claims are ingredient substitutions that compromise the candy’s authentic formula. The criticism came through an open letter posted on his LinkedIn account over the weekend.
The family connection to the candy dates back decades, with Hershey acquiring the Reese company during the 1960s merger.
In his social media post, Brad Reese expressed frustration over the company’s direction, stating: “My grandfather built Reese’s on a simple, enduring architecture: milk chocolate + peanut butter.”
He continued his critique by adding: “But today, Reese’s identity is being rewritten, not by storytellers, but by formulation decisions that replace milk chocolate with compound coatings and peanut butter with peanut‑butter‑style crèmes across multiple Reese’s products.”
The accusations come amid industry-wide ingredient modifications that began when cocoa prices soared to unprecedented levels exceeding $12,000 per metric ton in late 2024. Chocolate manufacturers across the board have been substituting traditional cocoa butter and cocoa powder with less expensive alternatives to manage production costs.
Responding to the family member’s concerns on Tuesday, Hershey defended its product development approach. The company stated: “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 cocoa market has since experienced a dramatic shift, with prices dropping more than 70% from their peak levels. This decline resulted from decreased consumer demand and improved supply chains, as shoppers reduced chocolate purchases and manufacturers adjusted packaging sizes or ingredient formulations.
The market reversal has created new challenges for cocoa farmers in Ghana and Ivory Coast, the world’s leading cocoa-producing nations, who now struggle to sell their crops and are forced to store beans wherever possible.