Summary
Overview
Planet Money investigates claims by Brad Reese, grandson of Reese's Peanut Butter Cup inventor H.B. Reese, that Hershey's has been skimping on ingredients in their chocolate products. Brad discovered that some Reese's products no longer contain real milk chocolate or peanut butter, instead using 'chocolate candy' and 'peanut butter cream.' The episode explores whether this is 'skimflation' - companies degrading product quality in response to rising costs - triggered by record-high cocoa prices and supply chain issues. In a dramatic twist, Hershey's announces during the investigation that they'll return to classic chocolate recipes by 2027, though they claim the decision predates Brad's complaints.
Brad Reese's Shocking Discovery
Brad Reese, a 70-year-old retiree and grandson of H.B. Reese who invented Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, had a disturbing experience with Reese's mini hearts that tasted completely wrong. Upon investigation, he discovered the wrapper no longer said 'milk chocolate' or 'peanut butter' but instead listed 'chocolate candy' and 'peanut butter cream.' This discovery led him to examine other Reese's products, finding that many had undergone similar ingredient changes, which he felt betrayed the family legacy.
- Brad Reese, grandson of Reese's inventor H.B. Reese, tasted Reese's mini hearts that were so bad he had to spit them out
- The wrapper revealed no milk chocolate or real peanut butter - instead 'chocolate candy' and 'peanut butter cream'
- Brad investigated other Reese's products and found Reese's Fast Break and Reese's Sticks also no longer contained milk chocolate
- The changes felt like betrayal to Brad: 'it's like somebody took a dagger and stabbed it in my heart'
" I took two bites and it was not recognizable. It was just nasty. It was not edible. "
" It's like somebody took a dagger and stabbed it in my heart. "
Planet Money's Chocolate Investigation and Taste Test
Planet Money conducted a thorough investigation, purchasing $70 worth of Reese's products to examine the labels and conduct taste tests. They confirmed that classic Reese's Peanut Butter Cups still contain milk chocolate and peanut butter, but many seasonal and specialty products now use chocolate candy and peanut butter cream. During blind taste testing, the differences became apparent, with the chocolate compound products having noticeably different smell, taste, and texture compared to the originals.
- Planet Money purchased $70 worth of Reese's products for investigation
- Original Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, mini cups, and some egg shapes still say milk chocolate and peanut butter
- Many seasonal products including mini eggs unwrapped, flat eggs, and bunnies use chocolate candy or peanut butter cream
- Ingredients list shows vegetable oil instead of pure cocoa butter - the 'smoking skimflation gun'
- Taste test revealed noticeable differences in smell and taste between products
" Honestly, I'm just going to be honest. It doesn't smell the same. "
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