As ingredient costs rise, some Hershey products are no longer made with real milk chocolate. The easiest way to tell is by reading the front of the package.
Brad Reese, grandson of the inventor of the Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup, recently criticized The Hershey Company. In a letter sent on February 14, he claimed the company replaced real milk chocolate with cheaper coatings in several popular Reese’s products. He also said some items now use “peanut butter crème” instead of real peanut butter.
Hershey responded a few days later. The company said the classic Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup has not changed. It is still made with milk chocolate and freshly roasted peanut butter. However, Hershey admitted that some newer shapes, seasonal products, and specialty items have had recipe changes.
Those changes matter — and you can see the difference on the front label.
Which products changed and which did not?
The original Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup still meets the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) standard for milk chocolate. By law, milk chocolate must contain at least 10% cacao along with certain amounts of milk ingredients.
However, some other Reese’s products and Hershey candies no longer meet that standard.
For example:
- Reese’s Mini Hearts (a Valentine’s item) are labeled “chocolate candy and peanut butter crème” instead of “milk chocolate and peanut butter.”
- Reese’s Take5 and Reese’s Fast Break bars were once coated in milk chocolate but now use a different coating.
- White Reese’s products now use “white crème” instead of white chocolate.
- Hershey’s Mr. Goodbar is labeled “chocolate candy” instead of “milk chocolate.”
In these products, cocoa butter has been replaced with vegetable oils such as palm oil or shea oil. These substitutes are called compound coatings. They look similar to chocolate, but they melt differently and often have a less rich taste.
Products identified as using compound coating or crème
Based on reporting and current packaging, the following products have updated recipes:
Seasonal and shaped items
- Reese’s Mini Hearts
- Reese’s Chocolate Peanut Butter Crème Hearts
- Reese’s Unwrapped Chocolate Peanut Butter Crème Mini Hearts
- Reese’s Peanut Butter Eggs
Bars and standard-size products
- Reese’s Take5
- Reese’s Fast Break
- Mr. Goodbar
- Whatchamacallit
- Krackel
White crème products
- Reese’s Miniatures White Creme Peanut Butter Cups
- Reese’s White Creme King Size Peanut Butter Cups
Other mentioned products
- Milk Duds
- Rolos
- Almond Joy
- Hershey’s Kissables
Packaging and recipes may vary by size, season, or location. Always check the label to be sure.
Why did Hershey make these changes?
The main reason is cost.
Cocoa prices increased sharply in 2024 — rising about 70% during the year. Problems in West Africa, where much of the world’s cocoa is grown, caused the spike. These problems included crop disease, old trees, and extreme weather.
Prices reached record highs in late 2024. Although they have come down somewhat, they are still higher than usual.
During a February 2025 earnings call, then-CEO Michele Buck said the company may adjust pricing, packaging, and recipes as cocoa costs change.
Using compound coatings made with vegetable oils costs less than using cocoa butter. These substitutes are also less affected by changes in cocoa prices.
How to tell if your candy uses real chocolate
The quickest way is to read the front of the package.
The name printed on the front is not just marketing. It is a legal term called the “statement of identity.” Companies must use specific wording based on what is inside.
- If it says “milk chocolate,” the product meets FDA standards.
- If it says “chocolate candy,” “chocolatey,” or “chocolate coating,” it does not meet the milk chocolate standard.
That small wording difference is important. It tells you whether the product contains real milk chocolate as defined by federal law.
You can also check the ingredient list on the back. If you see palm oil, shea oil, or other vegetable fats where cocoa butter would normally appear, the product likely uses a compound coating.
What happens next?
Cocoa prices have dropped from their 2024 peak, but manufacturers often buy ingredients months in advance. Hershey has said it is locked in cocoa purchases at higher prices, so any savings may take time to appear.
It is unclear whether the changed products will return to their original recipes. Compound coatings are cheaper and more stable, so companies may continue using them.
For now, the most reliable way to know what you are buying is simple: read the front of the package carefully.
I’m Emma Parker, the writer and founder behind Emma’s Home Guide. This blog was created to share practical ideas, honest experiences, and helpful guidance for everyday living. My goal is to make home life feel easier, warmer, and more enjoyable, without pressure or perfection.
