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Grandson of Reese’s founder alleges Hershey has switched to cheaper ingredients – sparking family feud
NY Post ^ | 02/18/2026 | Taylor Herzlich

Posted on 02/19/2026 4:13:59 AM PST by DFG

The grandson of the Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups creator is slamming the Hershey Co. for allegedly switching to cheaper ingredients to make the iconic snacks – and his accusations are sparking fierce pushback from his relatives, The Post has learned.

Brad Reese, 70 – whose grandfather HB Reese invented the famous treat – claimed Hershey has swapped out milk chocolate for cheap compound coating made from vegetable oils. He also claims Hershey has sneakily replaced real peanut butter with peanut-butter flavored cremes.

“I can’t just let it go. They’re lowering the quality of ingredients, charging the same price and probably giving you a smaller product size,” Reese, a retiree living in West Palm Beach, told The Post. “I’m really embarrassed as a member of the Reese family.”

The Hershey Co. told The Post its original Peanut Butter Cups are still made with peanut butter and milk chocolate – though it has made “recipe adjustments” in new products that “allow us to make new shapes, sizes and innovations that Reese’s fans have come to love and ask for.”

“What consumer that you know of has said, ‘Hey, I don’t want milk chocolate in my Reese’s products anymore. I prefer compound coating!’” Reese shot back with a laugh, adding that the statement does not specifically deny changing ingredients in other Reese’s products.

His LinkedIn posts blasting the alleged quality compromises quickly went viral – and his cousin, whose daughter works for the Hershey Company, pleaded with him to stop in a heated text message.

“Brad, this is your cousin Becky. You have created a nightmare for our family and the company,” read a copy of the text message obtained by The Post, which matched the phone number for his cousin, Becky Hilgers.

(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy
KEYWORDS: candy; hershey; reese

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To: newfreep

Most chocolate today, including the premium brands, use a sort of denatured cocoa powder containing none of the original cocoa butter, among other things.What’s more, non-Mexican hot chocolate is mostly sugar and milk, with actual chocolate being far down in the list of ingredients. Worse still, it is not even real chocolate. I like to add cacao powder, which is whole chocolate to my coffee or hot chocolate. One way to test its quality is to see how easily it blends in. Real chocolate resists dissolving in water and requires quite a bit of stirring.


41 posted on 02/19/2026 6:03:11 AM PST by PUGACHEV
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To: exPBRrat

Correct, unfortunately.


42 posted on 02/19/2026 6:03:51 AM PST by drwoof
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To: meatloaf

Auto companies, first that comes to mind GM. When smith came in the bottom line ruled.


43 posted on 02/19/2026 6:07:38 AM PST by Mouton (There is a new sheriff and deputy in town now!)
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To: DFG

Chocolate style flavored wax.


44 posted on 02/19/2026 6:10:17 AM PST by Sirius Lee ("Never argue with a fool, onlookers may not be able to tell the difference.)
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To: BullwinkleMoose
I had a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup recently and the taste was “off” and I did not enjoy it.

Maybe it was the chemicals you were tasting.

Hershey's products receive low ratings for contamination, including lead and cadmium according to Consumer Reports.

45 posted on 02/19/2026 6:15:50 AM PST by Fresh Wind (I voted for Trump the Fighter, not a wussified wimp!)
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To: MarlonRando

The corporate scum won’t have to worry about getting chilly where they’re going after they die.


46 posted on 02/19/2026 6:17:07 AM PST by Tolerance Sucks Rocks (FBI out of Florida!)
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To: Sirius Lee
Anyone got ideas on what's good chocolate?

I dont care for the Dubai chocolate they are now selling.

I look for cocoa butter as one of the ingredients and avoid ones with pfgxx? I know it when I see it PGF or whatever. And palm kernel oil too.

I remember when butterfingers had real chocolate and you would scrape it off with your 9 Y.O. teeth before you ate the middle that was hard AND chewy at the same time !!

p.s. yes I got cavities, but wouldn't trade that for no cavities and the fake crap they sell today or the past 20 years.

somebody get me some fries cooked in beef tallow, pls!!

47 posted on 02/19/2026 6:23:56 AM PST by Ikeon (Life is hard, its harder if you are stupid. )
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To: mikey_hates_everything
Maybe Ghirardelli?

Ghiradelli "Intense Dark" chocolate, 86% cacao, is highly rated by consumerlab.com. Worth looking for. Stay away from Lindt.

48 posted on 02/19/2026 6:24:38 AM PST by Fresh Wind (I voted for Trump the Fighter, not a wussified wimp!)
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To: DFG

Anyone who’s eaten Hershey’s candy lately knows it’s true. I have stopped buying it, anyway, ever since reading that they moved their factory to Mexico.


49 posted on 02/19/2026 6:26:59 AM PST by Nea Wood ( I remember America.)
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To: MarlonRando

I like that word better than the one I have been using, less vulgar - ensh—ification.


50 posted on 02/19/2026 6:28:30 AM PST by Unassuaged (I have shocking data relevant to the conversation!)
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To: newfreep

Get the German-made chocolate from Aldi.


51 posted on 02/19/2026 6:34:42 AM PST by thescourged1 (Rush, is it time to panic yet? )
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To: Fresh Wind

Lindt owns Ghiardelli


52 posted on 02/19/2026 6:47:40 AM PST by kaktuskid
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To: DFG

I don’t eat candy bars but I do use Hershey syrup and it is now tremendously expensive. The large size is $8.50 at Walmart!


53 posted on 02/19/2026 6:49:18 AM PST by subterfuge (I'm a pure-blood!)
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To: PUGACHEV

Cadbury in the UK has also cheapened its chocolate…no more one and a half glasses of milk in their chocolate bars


54 posted on 02/19/2026 6:50:32 AM PST by kaktuskid
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To: Ikeon
Anyone got ideas on what's good chocolate?

You should be able to buy Mast Market chocolate on Amazon. Made with only three ingredients: cacao, cane sugar, and vanilla. Certified organic, non-GMO, vegan, and gluten-free.

55 posted on 02/19/2026 6:59:28 AM PST by Sirius Lee ("Never argue with a fool, onlookers may not be able to tell the difference.)
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To: albie

https://www.sees.com/


56 posted on 02/19/2026 7:09:07 AM PST by Jeff Chandler (The issue is never the issue. The issue is always the revolution.)
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To: MarlonRando

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enshittification


57 posted on 02/19/2026 7:11:48 AM PST by Jeff Chandler (The issue is never the issue. The issue is always the revolution.)
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To: CodeToad

https://www.sees.com/


58 posted on 02/19/2026 7:12:56 AM PST by Jeff Chandler (The issue is never the issue. The issue is always the revolution.)
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To: newfreep
any recommendations for true quality chocolate treats?

I posted the link (twice), so scroll down.



59 posted on 02/19/2026 7:16:07 AM PST by Jeff Chandler (The issue is never the issue. The issue is always the revolution.)
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To: Snowybear
Moser Roth. It’s available at Aldi stores

Thanks. I'll have to give it a try.

60 posted on 02/19/2026 7:16:58 AM PST by Jeff Chandler (The issue is never the issue. The issue is always the revolution.)
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