Reese's Peanut Butter Cups is one of the most popular chocolate candies in the world and is loved by many for its iconic signature dense, slightly crumbly peanut paste that perfectly balances sweet and salty under a milk chocolate coating.

However, the brand is now making headlines for a different reason: a scathing call-out from Brad Reese, the grandson of the candy's inventor. Reese has publicly accusedThe Hershey Companyof changing the formula and swapping out authentic ingredients for cheaper alternatives.

In a LinkedIn post dated 14 February, Reese, 70, penned an open letter addressed to Todd Scott, Hershey's Manager of Corporate Brand & Editorial: 'REESE'S identity is being rewritten, not by storytellers, but by formulation decisions.' He alleged that the company was 'quietly' replacing its signature ingredients — milk chocolate and peanut butter — with 'compound coatings' and 'peanut‑butter‑style crèmes' across multiple REESE'S products.

He added, 'How does The Hershey Co. 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 warned that the reformulation risks damaging the chocolate's legacy: 'A good story requires honesty, transparency, and respect for the audience (REESE'S consumers).'

'Right now, the REESE'S story is diverging from what's inside REESE'S products. And that divergence puts REESE'S and the legacy behind it, at risk,' he added.

The creator's grandson continued, 'I'm not asking for nostalgia. I'm asking for alignment. For truth in REESE'S brand stewardship. For a corporate narrative from The Hershey Company that reflects the REESE'S product consumers are actually receiving.'

Reese later spoke with theAssociated Pressand said that the company went too far and described some products as 'not edible.' He revealed that he recently threw out a bag of Reese's Mini Hearts, a new product for Valentine's Day. In the packaging, it says that the heart-shaped candies are made from 'chocolate candy and peanut butter crème,' rather than milk chocolate and peanut butter, which greatly disappointed Reese.

'It was not edible,' he said. 'You have to understand. I used to eat a Reese's product every day. This is very devastating for me.'

He also claimed that Reese's Peanut Butter Cups sold in Europe, the United Kingdom, and Ireland are different from the US versions.

Source: International Business Times UK