Has Reese’s Changed What Made It Iconic?

A debate over one of America’s most recognizable candies is unfolding after the grandson of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups inventor H.B. Reese accused Hershey of quietly altering ingredients across parts of its product line.

Brad Reese said some items have replaced traditional milk chocolate with compound coatings and peanut butter with peanut-butter-style crème, arguing the shift risks weakening the brand’s legacy of quality.

The criticism gained attention after Reese shared an open letter on LinkedIn, framing the issue as a broader question about how companies balance innovation with consumer trust.

Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups were first introduced in 1928 and later became one of Hershey’s flagship brands after the Reese company was sold in the 1960s.

Hershey responded by saying classic Peanut Butter Cups remain unchanged, while recipe adjustments across the wider product line help support new shapes, seasonal releases and product innovations.

Industry pressures also play a role, as volatile cocoa prices have pushed some manufacturers to explore alternative coatings or ingredient formulations.