Hershey Company announced Tuesday it will revert to classic milk and dark chocolate recipes across all products by 2027, reversing a years-long shift toward cheaper substitutes. The decision follows criticism from Brad Reese, a grandson of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup inventor H.B. Reese, who accused the company of diluting the brand’s legacy. Reese’s Mini Hearts and Peanut Butter Eggs had previously used a cocoa substitute, prompting viral consumer outrage.

Hershey’s confirmed only a few products had used substitutes, insisting most items, including Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, already used real chocolate. The company cited evolving consumer preferences but denied the changes directly addressed Reese’s criticism. Allison Kleinfelter, a Hershey spokesperson, stated the plan requires time, with formulation, packaging, and supply adjustments beginning in 2027. The firm also highlighted unrelated updates, like transitioning to natural food colorings and reformulating KitKat bars for creaminess.

The controversy began when Reese, 70, publicly criticized