The Hershey Company has announced plans to shift all of its products back to traditional chocolate recipes by 2027, following weeks of criticism over ingredient changes in some of its popular candies.
The move comes after complaints from consumers, including Brad Reese, who publicly questioned the company’s use of chocolate substitutes in certain seasonal and novelty items. Reese, whose grandfather H. B. Reese created the iconic candy, helped spark broader scrutiny by highlighting ingredient differences in products such as heart- and egg-shaped treats.
At the center of the controversy was the company’s decision to replace cocoa butter with alternative fats in some products, a cost-saving measure adopted by parts of the confectionery industry as cocoa prices have climbed. While Hershey maintained that flagship items like Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups and its standard chocolate bars continued to use real milk chocolate, critics argued that the changes were not clearly communicated to consumers.
In response, Hershey said it would return to using what it described as classic milk and dark chocolate formulations across its full product line. Company officials indicated the transition would require adjustments to sourcing, manufacturing, packaging and supply chains, with implementation beginning in 2027.
The company has emphasized that the shift was already under consideration prior to the recent backlash, citing evolving consumer preferences and a broader industry trend toward simpler ingredient lists. Alongside the chocolate changes, Hershey also plans to transition to natural colorings in its sweets portfolio and modify the recipe of its KitKat bars to improve texture and flavor. It also announced an increase in research and development spending to support product updates.
Despite the announcement, some critics remain dissatisfied with the timeline, arguing that the company should move more quickly to restore traditional ingredients. The controversy has also drawn attention from figures in national food policy discussions, including advisers aligned with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who have advocated for reducing processed ingredients in packaged foods.
Hershey’s acquisition of the Reese brand in 1963 helped turn the peanut butter cup into one of the company’s flagship products. The current dispute underscores the tension between maintaining legacy recipes and adapting to modern economic pressures and manufacturing practices.
Source: NYT