The Hershey Firm has been a family title in sweet since 1894 and stays one of many world’s largest producers of snacks and confectionery, with greater than 90 iconic manufacturers, together with Reese’s, Kisses, Hershey’s, and Package Kat.
Now, the corporate is dealing with public criticism after a member of the Reese household publicly questioned Hershey’s core product and status.
Hershey Firm accused of deceiving clients
Brad Reese, grandson of H.B. Reese, the creator of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups in 1928, revealed an open letter on LinkedIn on February 14, 2026, addressed to Todd Scott, company model & editorial supervisor at The Hershey Firm.
Though the Reese household has not owned the model since Hershey acquired the H.B. Reese Sweet Firm in 1963, Reese has lengthy made it his mission to guard Reese’s model integrity, as said on his LinkedIn profile.
Within the put up, he questions whether or not Hershey has altered the components in some Reese’s merchandise.
“How does The Hershey Company continue to position Reese’s as its flagship brand, a symbol of trust, quality and leadership, while quietly replacing the very ingredients (Milk Chocolate + Peanut Butter) that built Reese’s trust in the first place?”
Reese requires larger transparency, alleging that sure merchandise now depend on lower-cost different components.
“I’m not asking for nostalgia. I’m asking for alignment. For truth in Reese’s brand stewardship,” stated Reese. “The story cannot be stronger than the ingredients.”
The put up generated vital engagement, with some shoppers commenting that they imagine product style, dimension, or texture have modified over time. Nonetheless, these claims mirror solely particular person client perceptions and haven’t been verified.
One consumer on LinkedIn commented, “I’ve quietly stopped buying Reese’s and Hershey’s. Aside from the chocolate not tasting or feeling like chocolate, everything has gotten thinner and smaller while increasing dramatically in price.”
“I’m deeply disappointed to learn that Hershey has discreetly substituted milk chocolate and peanut butter with inferior chemicals. Sadly, I will now steer clear of my favorite treat until Hershey reverses course and apologizes,” added one other LinkedIn consumer.
The Hershey Firm faces criticism from a member of the Reese’s household.
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Rising cocoa prices and provide challenges
The scrutiny comes as the worldwide chocolate trade navigates elevated enter prices and provide volatility.
Meals costs elevated 2.9% over the past 12 months ending January 2026, in keeping with latest U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics knowledge.
Cocoa was among the many most affected merchandise. Excessive rainfall, crop illness, and better temperatures in main West African producing areas have disrupted manufacturing and decreased world provide.
On the similar time, inflation, larger working prices, tariffs, and shifting client preferences have made it more durable for companies to stay worthwhile.
Like many opponents, Hershey has centered on product innovation and portfolio diversification by introducing components equivalent to peanut butter, caramel, and wafers to cut back the quantity of cocoa used per unit whereas additionally aligning with client demand.
Extra Retail Enterprise Information:
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“Our Procurement Team did a remarkable job navigating volatile cocoa markets in 2025, using agile hedging and sourcing strategies to significantly reduce the impact of cocoa inflation,” stated The Hershey Firm CEO Kirk Tanner in an earnings name.
“These programs enable us to expand capability-building investments in talent and technology and deliver differentiated performance into the future.”
Hershey’s technique delivers robust outcomes
Regardless of public criticism, Hershey’s latest monetary efficiency suggests its technique is working.
In full Fiscal Yr 2025, Hershey’s internet gross sales elevated 4.4%, with North American Confectionery rising 4%.
The corporate additionally generated greater than $300 million in internet financial savings over the previous two years and is projected to ship an incremental $100 million in 2026.
As of February 19, 2026, Hershey (HSY) shares are up almost 21%.
“I’m proud of how our teams have navigated a challenging environment, demonstrating operational excellence, impactful innovation, and skillful execution that is driving real results,” stated Tanner within the earnings report.
“We are building the capabilities and brand investments that position us for continued success, with a focus on strengthening our foundation, improving profitability, and advancing the next phase of our strategy to deliver long-term growth and value creation for our shareholders.”
Now that cocoa costs are stabilizing, analysts anticipate an improved EPS outlook in 2026 and 2027, in keeping with StocksToTrade.
“We expect recent pricing announcements to drive outsized earnings growth in FY26 with a solid consumer backdrop supporting better-than-expected elasticities, noting Hershey’s historically strong pricing power tied to its iconic brand portfolio,” Goldman Sachs Inventory Analyst Leah Jordan wrote in a September word.
Hershey responds to ingredient allegations
Hershey has disputed claims that the recipe for its core product has modified.
“Our iconic Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups are made the same way they always have been; starting with roasting fresh peanuts to make our unique, one-of-a-kind peanut butter that is then combined with milk chocolate,” Hershey instructed FOX Enterprise in an e-mail.
The corporate acknowledges that recipe changes might happen in sure merchandise to assist new codecs, seasonal objects, or improvements, however stated these adjustments are designed to protect the model’s signature style and high quality.
“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,” Hershey added within the emailed assertion.
Reese has identified that components in some merchandise now record peanut‑butter‑model crème, chocolate‑flavored coatings, vegetable oil blends, and hydrogenated oils. Nonetheless, Hershey produces dozens of Reese’s varieties, and formulations might differ by product sort, manufacturing necessities, and regional laws.
Chocolate labeling requirements additionally range internationally. Some international locations require larger cocoa content material for merchandise to be categorised as “milk chocolate,” resulting in formulation variations between U.S. and European variations.
Many commonplace U.S. merchandise proceed to record milk chocolate and peanuts as main components, although extra stabilizers or oils might also seem, relying on the product format.
Why ingredient accusations matter for Hershey
The Hershey state of affairs with Reese’s merchandise displays broader challenges for legacy meals manufacturers making an attempt to stability rising commodity prices, product innovation, and world provide pressures whereas sustaining client belief and model heritage.
There isn’t any proof of regulatory motion or formal investigation concerning the allegations in opposition to Hershey as of the date of publication.
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