Hershey’s chocolate products will shift back to classic recipes amid lower cocoa prices

Does dark chocolate make us happy?

A recent study suggests that eating chocolate, especially dark chocolate, is linked to lower odds of depressive symptoms.

As cocoa prices retreat from the record highs that reshaped the confectionery industry in 2024, at least one major chocolate maker is reversing course on cost-cutting recipes and putting more cocoa back into its products.

The Hershey Company announced plans to increase the cocoa content in some of its chocolate alternatives, which the company markets as "chocolate candy," as lower bean prices improve profit margins for traditional chocolate formulations.

Hershey’s products will shift back to classic recipes

What they're saying:

A spokesperson for Hershey’s said the company is currently transitioning a small number of products under the Hershey’s and Reese’s portfolio "to align with their classic milk and dark chocolate recipes." 

She noted that the majority of the company’s offerings have not changed and have always used milk or dark chocolate.

FILE: Hershey's chocolate bars are shown on July 16, 2014 in Chicago, Illinois. (Credit: Scott Olson/Getty Images)

"Hershey is committed to making products consumers love and that means continually reviewing our recipes to meet evolving tastes and preferences," the spokesperson said in a statement to FOX Local, adding that the product enhancements will take effect in 2027.

The company also said it would be enhancing Kit Kat’s recipe for a "creamier taste and texture."

Hershey notes that many of its products have always been made with real milk chocolate or dark chocolate and peanut butter. But a small portion of Hershey’s and Reese’s products, like mini Easter eggs, are now made with a coating that contains less chocolate.

 News follows lower cocoa costs, consumer complaints

The backstory:

The news was discussed during its Investor Day in late March and follows more than a year of industry-wide adjustments driven by cocoa costs.

The shift comes as cocoa prices have fallen significantly from the peaks reached during supply shortages in West Africa, easing pressure on manufacturers that spent much of the past few years reformulating products to offset rising costs.

LAST YEAR: Hershey raising candy prices amid cocoa surge: Report

Industry observers say other confectionery companies could follow Hershey’s lead if cocoa markets remain stable, potentially marking a return to more traditional chocolate recipes after a period defined by ingredient substitutions and shrinkflation.

The news also comes after the grandson of the candy’s founder criticized the company for switching to cheaper ingredients. 

Back in February, Brad Reese said he threw out a bag of Reese’s Mini Hearts, a special Valentine’s Day release, because "it was not edible."

"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 wrote in the letter posted to his LinkedIn profile.

The company said it also plans to increase its research and development funding by 25%.