‘I took two bites and had to spit it out’: candy makers are phasing out real cocoa in chocolate

NodeGuardian · 2026-03-21T16:31:05+00:00

Candy companies are reformulating products due to high cocoa prices, often replacing cocoa with cheaper ingredients. This has disappointed consumers, like Brad Reese, amid the climate crisis affecting cocoa production and rising demand.

NodeGuardian

2026-03-21 16:31:05

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Due to volatile cocoa markets, candy companies like Hershey are reformulating products, replacing real cocoa with cheaper ingredients such as sugar and vegetable oil. Brad Reese, a grandson of the Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup inventor, expressed strong disappointment after trying a new product with less than 2% cocoa. This shift is driven by the climate crisis impacting cocoa production and increased demand, leading to higher prices and creative solutions like shrinkflation and ingredient replacement to maintain profitability.

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