Hershey to return to classic milk and dark chocolate in many products

Hershey said it will restore classic milk and dark chocolate recipes across most Reese's and Hershey products by 2027, and Brad Reese, the inventor's grandson, had publicly criticized recent recipe changes earlier this year.

Hershey announced it will return to classic milk and dark chocolate recipes in most Reese's and Hershey products by 2027. The company's CEO, Kirk Tanner, said the move is part of aligning the portfolio with what the brands stand for and noted work began after he joined in August 2025. Brad Reese, grandson of H.B. Reese, publicly criticized the use of chocolate-flavored coatings on some Reese's spinoff items, and his complaints went viral earlier this year. The company also said it is on track to remove artificial colors from its products by the end of next year. Key points: - Hershey announced a return to classic milk and dark chocolate recipes across most Reese's and Hershey products by 2027. - CEO Kirk Tanner said some changes will begin next year and that he reviewed the portfolio after joining the company in August 2025. - The change will move certain spinoff items, such as mini Reese's cups, shapes and some bars, from chocolate compound coatings to real milk chocolate. - Hershey said the shift affects less than three percent of Reese's products and a small portion of Hershey's products. - The company also said it aims to remove all artificial colors from its products by the end of next year. - Brad Reese publicly criticized the use of compound coatings and posted a letter to company branding staff that went viral in February. Summary: Hershey says the change will start next year for some items and that most affected products will use classic recipes by 2027. The company describes the move as part of portfolio alignment and has framed it as work that began after the current CEO joined in 2025. The announcement follows public criticism from Brad Reese about recent recipe changes, and the company also plans to remove artificial colors by the end of next year.