Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Have You Written to Hershey’s?

Hershey's Milk Chocolate (retro wrapper) - now with PGPR!I’ve gotten a couple of notes from readers about their experience writing to The Hershey Company about the changes in their favorite products.

So I’m curious what Hershey’s is saying to consumers when they write in. (I’ve had my own experience that I’ve documented.)

You might be curious to read about another blogger who noticed the changes in Kissables earlier this year and what she was told.

So, if you’ve written to Hershey’s, tell us here what their response was! (And if you haven’t, give it a try.)

Related Candies

  1. Today Show Interview: What Wasn’t Covered
  2. Rising Cost of Candy - A Brief Study of Hershey Prices
  3. Kissables (Reformulated)
  4. What Made Hershey’s Want to Change Chocolate?

POSTED BY Cybele AT 7:56 am Tracker Pixel for Entry     CandyFeatured NewsNews

Comments
  1. The Kissables anecdotes are disheartening, to say the least.

    I have written to Hershey’s to ask that the company consider producing a “Hershey’s Classic” line of chocolates the way they used to be made—with real chocolate and no PGPR. I’ve also written to voice my concern over the amount of HFCS in Hershey’s Chocolate Syrup. No response, and it’s been several months.

    Also disheartening.

    Comment by Frances on 9/23/08 at 9:07 am #
  2. I understand that people do not like them, but to me, I think the bars that were changed taste better now…I now like Mr. Goodbar more than ever!!! And I hated the Kissables before, and now I like them. Maybe I’m weird.

    Comment by Rob on 9/23/08 at 5:18 pm #
  3. gracecarriveau's avatar

    I can respect that some people may actually like the change in taste, but in my opinion, it’s more disturbing that this company is displaying what I believe are unethical and downright dishonest business practices when it comes to dealing with the consumer.

    I was just reading some of their ‘legalese’ yesterday on their site, and they had pages dedicated to their “commitment” to fair and ethical business practices. But from what I’ve seen of late, it doesn’t seem like they practice what they preach.

    Comment by gracecarriveau on 9/23/08 at 6:33 pm #
  4. I’m not totally sold on the lack of business ethics.  For example, say McDonalds was using regular mayo and then without alerting consumers switched to soybean mayo.  It might not taste the same, but I wouldn’t say it was unethical.  Similarly, if Heinz reduced the amount of sugar in their Ketchup, would that be unethical?  Many would even be oblivious to the change. I’m not sure this is a question of ethics.

    If Hershey’s candies did substantially change, the result would also be reflected in sales.  It may be that people will stop buying Hershey’s products; however, I don’t think the difference is that pronounced in in the typical pallet of a consumer.

    Comment by Justin on 9/25/08 at 2:17 am #
  5. I am so glad to have found this blog recently, and also in particular the information on the reformulation of many of the Hershey’s products. When Kissables first came out, I was in love. They *did* taste exactly like Kisses, and I liked them a million times better than I ever liked Plain M&Ms;. For a variety of reasons, I hadn’t had any in a long time, until a few weeks ago. I thought I had an expired or bad bag! Then I thought, man, these just aren’t that great—what was I thinking? So at least now I know I’m not crazy—they old ones were so much better, the difference in taste was obvious. The new ones are atrocious. I intend to contact Hershey’s with my displeasure. I’m with the “unethical” group. Switching from reg mayo to soy mayo—it would still be mayo. This switch changes the very nature of what is inside the candy shell—you can’t even call it chocolate anymore.

    Comment by Lori on 9/25/08 at 8:07 am #
  6. I have stopped buying hersey candy bars due to not melting like they use to and I hear they are moving to China.  That’s UNAMERICAN.

     

     

     

     

    chin

    Comment by helene on 10/02/08 at 5:16 am #
  7. Cybele's avatar

    Helene - you heard wrong. Hershey’s is not moving to China. They opened a factory there to make chocolate for the Chinese and Asian markets.

    The did, however, close to factories - one in Canada and one in Oakdale, CA and open a larger one in Mexico. Their chocolate for sale in the United States is still made in the US. (Though some other candy products will be made in Mexico. Be sure to read the package.)

    Wherever it was made, I agree, if it doesn’t taste like you want it to, don’t buy it. But also write to Hershey’s and tell them why. They should know why you’re making your choices, because sometimes companies correct these things.

    Comment by Cybele on 10/02/08 at 6:02 am #
  8. Here is my reply after my kissables became unkissable :-(
    Thank you for contacting The Hershey Company. We appreciate your interest in our company.

    Hershey’s favorite iconic brands continue to be made with milk and dark chocolate including HERSHEY’S, HERSHEY’S KISSES, HERSHEY’S BLISS, REESE’S Peanut Butter Cups, KIT KAT, YORK and ALMOND JOY, just to name a few.  In fact, the vast majority of the items in our portfolio—about 85 percent—are made with pure chocolate. All of our products are clearly labeled.

    Hershey has set the standard for quality chocolate for more than 100 years and will continue to do so

    So they do metion the ones that do have chocolate and skim over hte fact that they started out chocolate and then slipped some fakies in on me!

    Comment by Bonnie on 10/08/08 at 6:10 pm #
  9. I wrote them about the kissables change and got back a useless generic salesman-ish message that didn’t address any of my concerns or comments:

    Thank you for contacting The Hershey Company. We appreciate your interest in our company.

    Hershey’s favorite iconic brands continue to be made with milk and dark chocolate including HERSHEY’S, HERSHEY’S KISSES, HERSHEY’S BLISS, REESE’S Peanut Butter Cups, KIT KAT, YORK and ALMOND JOY, just to name a few.  In fact, the vast majority of the items in our portfolio—about 85 percent—are made with pure chocolate. All of our products are clearly labeled.

    Hershey has set the standard for quality chocolate for more than 100 years and will continue to do so.

    Comment by Eagle on 10/10/08 at 6:47 am #
  10. Cybele's avatar

    As Hershey’s keeps quoting this 85% figure, I wrote to them asking about it:

    I got an email in response to a request for information that says:

    “Hershey’s favorite iconic brands continue to be made with milk and dark chocolate including HERSHEY’S, HERSHEY’S KISSES, HERSHEY’S BLISS, REESE’S Peanut Butter Cups, KIT KAT, YORK and ALMOND JOY, just to name a few.  In fact, the vast majority of the items in our portfolio—about 85 percent—are made with pure chocolate. All of our products are clearly labeled.”

    How is that 85% figure calculated? Is it by mass? Do you weigh everything with the Hershey’s label? Is it by product sku? Does this include your sub-brands such as Twizzlers and Jolly Ranchers?

    Please tell me what 85% means.

    So we’ll see what sort of response I get next week.

    Thanks to everyone logging their replies here.

    Comment by Cybele on 10/10/08 at 8:46 am #
  11. I have sent Hersheys a letter of concern/complaint regarding the horrible reformulation of their Kissables. 

    I will post any response I get here.

    I doubt anything will change, but we can certainly hope.

    I dont see that product surviving too long in the current rendition.  They are awful.

    Comment by Hershey-Et lover on 10/27/08 at 6:12 am #
  12. I just got a new bag of Hershey’s kisses. They don’t taste the same to me. Maybe it’s all the talk about the vegetable oil, maybe I’m just sick of things always changing to keep the CEO’s in their mansions. I just don’t think the chocolate kisses taste the SAME as they used to! Is it me???

    Comment by Carol on 10/28/08 at 3:21 pm #
  13. Here is my two big beefs with Hershey.  First they were founded here in Pa, where Milton Hershey built a free private school for gifted children with only one parent alive.  Now they want to move out of the country to save costs?  What about the kids? Do they move to Mexico too?

      Next Big Huge beef I am severly allergic to coconut and coconut oil, which they now use in all of their new candy bars, and are starting to use in their old ones as well. When I wrote about the change in ingredients, and asked if there was a way to buy it made the old way, I received no response at all.

    So bye bye Hershey I will stick to M&M;Mars, they don’t use it in any of their chocolate.  And the new taste of Hershey is simply not good enough to die for.

    Comment by Kathy on 11/02/08 at 3:35 am #
  14. A couple of comments
    1. A lot of candy companies have had to move overseas because sugar prices are artificially high due to the sugar lobby. Try to buy chewing gum or hard candy and it all comes from Mexico or Canada to avoid the sugar tariff.
    2. I tried to complain to Hershey and their web form crashed, so i guess that is their response…
    3. These companies are not moving to increase profits, but to survive. This is a very competitive industry, and if Mars or Nestle can sell a chocolate bar for 10% cheaper because it is imported using cheaper sugar, Hershey has to cut prices or get pushed off the candy rack and out of the vending machines.
    4. Chocolate prices have also gone up recently
    http://www.tradingeconomics.com/Economics/Commodities.aspx?Symbol=CC1
    Personally, I would rather pay twice the price and keep the quality.

    Comment by jcp on 11/04/08 at 10:08 am #
  15. I called them the other day about their Hershey bars.They were nice,but their candy bars are still lousy at this point.

    Comment by Dean on 11/09/08 at 4:47 pm #
  16. Justin - Here’s where the difference in ethics comes in for me.  Using the analogy where McD’s changes their mayo, say that I notice that something tastes odd about my burger.  Maybe I think that one of the ingredients may have been spoiled, resulting in the off taste.  So I write them a letter.

    They can respond one of two ways.  They can acknowledge that their ingredients have changed, explain that a difference in flavor is to be expected with the new recipe, and express the hope that I as a customer will come to like the new flavor and will be happy with their product in the future.  Or they can write a letter suggesting that perhaps I ate a breathmint or some other strongly-flavored item, which would skew the taste of their product, or that I might be suffering from a cold and can’t taste properly.  Okay, I realize that I’m stretching, but I’m trying to come up with something analogous to “maybe the retail store shelved chocolate with mothballs”.

    The point is, disclosure is ethical.  Diverting the issue by saying “Our product is just great… we don’t know why it tastes funny to *you*” is not.

    Comment by Droewyn on 11/11/08 at 8:07 am #
  17. I contacted Hershey recently about the change to their licorice Goodies (here in Canada).  They used to be manufactured in Canada.  Now they say “imported” on the package.  They taste like Good & Plenty, which is an all right candy, but not my favourite (which were the old Goodies).  Hershey said that they reformulated the product and that it did well in focus groups.  Oh well. Hershey lost a customer in me (at least with respect to licorice products).

    Comment by Mitchell Leitman on 11/12/08 at 9:22 am #
  18. Hi Droewyn,

    Thanks for expressing your contention in a civil manner. 

    I’d definitely agree that hiding or obscuring the truth is unethical. Your experience in contacting Hershey’s definitely sounds like they were being unethical.  Furthermore, diverting blame to your customers? perception from your product’s characteristics is a foolish business strategy.  It doesn’t encourage repeat business to say the least…

    However, I’d say as long as they legitimately state what is in the candy on the wrapper, I don’t really think it is unethical.  Personally, I think the difference in taste is pretty apparent, but I know many don’t.  My friend couldn’t tell the difference between a Hershey’s Bar and Hershey’s Bliss (not the same I know, but demonstrates the discernment/involvement level of casual consumers).

    Comment by Justin on 11/12/08 at 12:32 pm #
  19. I snapped over the gross new “goodier” Goodies too

    See my blog for copy of the letter I wrote the to Prez of Hersheys.

    Will let you know if I get a reply.

    Comment by E. Ann Bardawill on 11/24/08 at 8:55 am #
  20. Glad to find this site…I used to love Hershey’s chocolate, but have found, in the last few years that it tastes “waxy”...ick.  And listing ingredients is very important, even in the mayo vs. soy mayo…considering all the food allergies out there.

    Comment by Aimee on 12/01/08 at 10:29 am #
  21. Cybele—

    I do have a lot of respect for you, for your site, and for most chocolate connoisseurs.  However, I have tried the “new” Kissables, and I don’t understand what you guys are getting your panties in a wad about.  To my untrained chocolate connoisseur tastebuds, it tastes EXACTLY THE SAME as before!! 

    There seems to be no change to the formula; in fact, in the ingredient list, it says, and I quote, “Sugar; Vegetable Oil (COCOA BUTTER, palm, shea, sunflower and/or safflower oil); chocolate; [etc.]”  And BTW, if you think I’m pulling an ingredient list out of my behind, I have the “chocolate candy” Kissables bag right next to my computer!

    In all fairness, I’d rather appreciate chocolate for what it is: chocolate.  What it does or doesn’t have in it doesn’t matter to me, as I’m more of a white chocolate freak (God bless Hershey’s Cookies and Cream).

    BJ

    Comment by BJ Wanlund on 12/01/08 at 3:08 pm #
  22. Go to a local natural-foods store and check out their fair-trade chocolate products.  There are lots of really good chocolate products made with real, pure ingredients that the maker is proud, rather than ashamed, to list on the label.  The same thing goes for most of the food you’ll find in these places.  It’s generally a little more expensive, but the difference in flavor and healthfulness of ingredients is amazing.

    Comment by Bill on 12/03/08 at 2:15 pm #
  23. Cybele's avatar

    Bill - thanks for adding that suggestion. I’ve been writing about organic, fair trade and all natural products here for quite a few years now.

    But there’s nothing wrong with urging companies that you already patronize to do better. (Hershey’s does own Dagoba, which is organic and fair trade. Perhaps with some public pressure those ethics could trickle up.)

    Comment by Cybele on 12/03/08 at 2:22 pm #
  24. Cybele's avatar

    Could the folks coming over from Metafilter please offer this link to the OP?

    http://www.typetive.com/candyblog/item/rising_cost_of_candy/

    Comment by Cybele on 12/03/08 at 2:45 pm #
  25. BJ

    Try buying a newly produced bag of Kissables rather than a bag that was simply new to you. Sounds to me like you got a bag with the original ingredients which would naturally taste EXACTLY THE SAME as before, since it was… the newly produced KIssables have vegetable oil (palm, shea, sunflower and/or safflower oil) as ingredients and say “Chocolate Candy” on the front where as the old Kissabales have Milk chocolate (sugar, cocoa butter, chocolate, nonfat milk, milk fat, lactose, soy lecithin, PGPR & artificial flavors) as ingredients and say “Milk Chocolate” on the front of the package. Hope this helps clarify the issue a bit.

    Comment by Phule on 12/10/08 at 10:07 pm #
  26. I actually HAVE been buying the “chocolate candy” ones, and there is absolutely NOTHING different to the ingredient list, it has vegetable oil, then in parentheses it still has cocoa butter.

    I think the change in the packaging isn’t because of the vegetable oils, but rather just an aesthetic change. If it still has cocoa butter, then the move to “chocolate candy” is inexplicable.

    Of course, my particular “chocolate candy” bags are the ones that have pink integrated into the packaging, so your mileage may vary.

    BJ

    Comment by BJ Wanlund on 12/11/08 at 3:38 am #
  27. That’s very interesting BJ. The package I’m looking at in front of me lists vegetable oil (palm, shea, sunflower and/or safflower oil) as ingredients and say ?Chocolate Candy? but no Coccoa Butter what-so-ever is listed as an ingredient. Weird.

    Comment by Phule on 12/11/08 at 10:09 am #
  28. Cybele's avatar

    BJ - also, remember that “and/or” means that some of those might not be in there. As in, there may not be any cocoa butter in there at all. They list it for the sake of folks who may be allergic or have dietary restrictions.

    The packaging change is because FDA regulations on the definition of “chocolate” state that it can’t be called chocolate if it contains other vegetable oils.

    If you’re enjoying this formulation, then I’m happy for you. You’re the kind of customer Hershey’s has been telling us about.

    Comment by Cybele on 12/11/08 at 10:16 am #
  29. @justin…as my brother has a pretty bad soy allergy, that kind of mcdonalds switch SHOULD be published.

    Comment by jess on 12/12/08 at 8:17 am #
  30. Jess, That’s a little off topic.  I hope the point of the analogy was not lost.

    However, since your brother has a soy allergy please make sure he is aware that all McDonald’s buns and cheeses contain soy ingredients.

    http://nutrition.mcdonalds.com/

    Comment by Justin on 12/13/08 at 3:51 am #
  31. I am really ticked that they changed my favorite candy - Goodies!
    They used to make it with real licorice.  Now, as someone else has remarked, they taste more like Good & Plenty.  I called Hershey and complained, but I doubt they will do anything about it.

    Comment by Betty IK on 1/04/09 at 6:57 am #
  32. Well the invasion of fake chocolate kissables in Canada is now complete.  :-(

    Disgusting and disappointing.

    I have ran across some old stock in some stores of the real Milk Chocolate variety and have picked them up as a last experience of the treat me and my family did enjoy.

    Got a form letter response from Hershey’s when I sent in my concerns.  Same BS about the percentage of their product that is real chocolate.  Nothing to address the questions I asked. 

    Waste of time unfortunately.  Hershey has lost my money now.

    Comment by Hershey-Et lover on 1/23/09 at 7:20 am #
  33. I tried to to submit a concern. Our company purchases the large bags of Hershey’s Minature assortments for our company lunch meetings. Usually there are three to four bars in a bag that are unwrapped or miss wrapped which is no big deal really, we just throw them away. At the beginning of March I purchased 2 large bags of candy to replenish our supply, approximately 1/4 to 1/3 of the candy had to be thrown away as they were unwrapped, miss wrapped, there were holes in the wrappers and the wrappers were scraped up. Also when I purchase the candy it just goes into the refrigerator until we need it, and by today the bags had been throw away so I couldn’t return it to the store. A family member of mine works as a supervisor in a candy company and he often mentions the constant oversite needed to make sure that the candy that is going out is up to the standard required.
    I filled in all of this information to just let them know what was happening so they could look into the problem and hopefully fix it. When I clicked on the submit button a message popped up saying that the form was accessed improperly and would need to be resubmitted. The form was empty, do I want to start over again!!! I saw this blog when I was searching for a way to contact Hershey, so I decided to vent here. Thanks

    Comment by Barbara on 3/17/09 at 7:09 am #
  34. I handled the change in Hershey’s chocolate very simply; I stopped buying it.  Of course not enough people will do that to make a difference, but I’m not paying good money for the garbage they’re calling chocolate these days.  I’d rather pay quite a bit more for something closer to real chocolate (Lindt, etc).  It makes no difference to me whether Hershey’s did it to save money or make more money or whatever.  I simply don’t buy it.

    Comment by Lindsay on 5/28/09 at 10:37 am #
  35. gracecarriveau's avatar

    You know…I agree with you Lindsay. I would rather spend my money on other companies’ products. And since it is becoming easier to find a wider variety of chocolate from Lindt, Ghirardelli, etc… There is absolutely no reason to waste money on chocolate from Hersheys. I know that they continue to state that their plain and almond chocolate bars haven’t changed, but they have. I was desperate last week for some chocolate so I ate a Hershey bar with almonds that my grandmother had. There was barely any taste to it at all let alone a good chocolate taste. It could have been silly putty. (The bar was fresh too) Unfortunately my absolute favorite bar right now is the Take 5 bar. It’s my go-to bar. You know, the one I always have a supply of. If anyone knows of a good substitute from someone else, I’ll gladly switch and make the “Hersheys boycott” 100%.

    Comment by gracecarriveau on 5/28/09 at 5:58 pm #
  36. Be on the lookout for a new influx of Made in Mexico Hershey’s products. My local stores are stocking 9 oz. bags of Hershey’s Miniatures with a new bright yellow wrapper that contains Mexican made chocolate.  The large size bag I bought was still made in Hershey.  In contrast, I noticed that the larger bag of Reese’s Minatures was made in Mexico, while the smaller bags were still US made.  May be just a matter of older vs. newer stock.

    In 2003, my family and I spent the weekend at HersheyPark.  My daughter purchased a giant Hershey Kiss in the gift shop at the park. While we were having lunch, I read the label on the Kiss and was astonished to read that it was made in Mexico!  How in the world could it be financially beneficial for Hershey to make these in Mexico and ship them all the way back to the park that is a quarter mile away from the Hershey factory?????!!!!!

    In researching this craziness, I came across a public document from the U.S International Trade commission.  Here is the url: http://www.faqs.org/rulings/rulings1996HQ559451.html

    In this ruling, Hershey asked the commission for a ruling as to what country of origin they were required to label for giant size Hershey bars and the giant Kiss I had purchased at the park.  Get this - Hershey says that they actually SHIP TO MEXICO FROM HERSHEY unwrapped Kisses and Hershey bars in 1,800 pound bins, where they are then melted down and repackaged into giant bars. Why would they not just build molds and wrapping machines here?  How could it be profitable to make the candy here, ship huge containers of it to Mexico, then re-import it for sale?  By the way, the commision ruling was that they had to label it made in Mexico.

    This document is dated 1996, prior to the Monterrey plant opening, so I am assuming that the made in Mexico chocolate we are getting now IS actually made there.  Watch your labels if you want the real thing!

    Comment by James Crisan on 6/25/09 at 10:13 am #
  37. I have been in the Hershey’s plant in Guadalajara, Mexico.  Don’t worry about the sanitation there.  It is every bit as clean as the four Hershey’s plants that I’ve visited in the US.  And the Goodies - they’re coming out of the plant in Memphis.  Same plant that does Good’n'Plenty, Twizzlers and Y&S Licorice Cigars.  The guys try but are saddled with the corporate recipes.

    Comment by Process Equipment Sales Guy on 7/13/09 at 4:02 pm #
  38. We typically buy Dove Chocolate and Hershey’s Bliss packages with individual chocolate pieces. I tend to like both of them because of the creamyness. However, yesterday we bought a new pack of Hershey’s Bliss, Dark Chocolate, AND they taste chalky and fake, not creamy and chocolatly they typically are. Does anyone know if they made changes to the Bliss line???

    Comment by Breanne on 8/03/09 at 10:53 am #
  39. I contacted Hershey’s after I learned that all their candy production was moved to Mexico. I received a reply back from Hershey’s stating it was a move to keep Hershey’s competitive in today’s global market. That was the last day I ever purchased anything made by Hershey’s. It’s good to know that they are global since this American candy consumer isn’t purchasing anything from Hershey’s until they move their production back into the USA.
    I doubt the loss of my family will make a dent in Hershey’s profits but it’s time to try.

    Comment by Cindy on 12/08/09 at 3:35 am #
  40. Cybele's avatar

    Cindy - It’s sad that even Hershey’s didn’t inform you properly that they didn’t move ALL production to Mexico. They moved several key brands, including Hershey’s Miniatures, York Peppermint Patties, Fifth Avenue, Mounds & Almond Joy. Other chocolate production was outsourced (in the US).

    But well over half their line of confections are still made in the USA. By not buying any Hershey’s products, you’re abandoning products you might actually like as well as the remaining US workers.

    Comment by Cybele on 12/08/09 at 4:53 am #
  41. HERSHEY’s MINIATURE UPDATE:  A couple of weeks ago, I bought a 40 oz. bag of miniatures - because,for the first time in about a year, they were labeled “Manufactured by The Hershey Corporation, Hershey, PA.” NO MEXICO MENTION!!
    I purchased these at the local Target store.  Then, at my local Giant Eagle (supermarket chain) yesterday, I saw the one pound bags also NOT “Made in Mexico”.  Anyone have any insight as to whether they stopped making Mininatures in Mexico?

    Comment by James Crisan on 2/04/10 at 10:34 am #
  42. NO MORE HERSHEY PRODUCTS FOR OUR FAMILY.  WE NEED OUR PRODUCTS MADE, PACKAGED AND SENT OUT FROM OUR COMPANIES IN THE USA.  WHAT ARE YOU AS AN AMERICAN COMPANY DOING FOR USA’S ECONOMY? OUR NOT BUYING YOUR CANDY MAY NOT MEAN MUCH LOSS TO YOU BUT YOU NEED TO THINK ABOUT AMERICA AND NOT MEXICO.  LOOK HOW MANY PEOPLE WE HAVE NOW INFILTRATED INTO OUR COUNTRY ONLY TO BE GETTING ALL OF THE TAXPAYERS MONEY THRU MEDICAID, MEAL PROGRAMS, FOOD STAMPS, ETC, ETC.  GIVE US A BREAK!!!!

    Comment by j.j. MOODY on 2/27/10 at 2:15 pm #
  43. I have not been able to find the coconut mounds, Easter. Can you help me I have been to Target, Wal-
    mart, C VS and Walgreen’s.  Please help my family loves them. 

    Thank You!

    Comment by Pat Johnson on 3/07/10 at 5:22 am #
  44. I am so angry right now… I just ate a York Peppermint Patty and as I was getting ready to throw the wrapper away, I was shocked to see it is manufactured in Mexico!  Seriously!  I will never eat another Hershey product again!  I know the US has strict manufacturing guidelines when it comes to our food and candy. What guidelines does Mexico have?  Who is checking in on them!  This company wants to make a profit, well it isn’t getting any of that from me ever again.

    Comment by Tina on 10/09/10 at 9:50 pm #
  45. It’s a shame what Hershey’s Canada did to Licorice Goodies.  As others have said they now taste like Good & Plenty… which is fine if you want some Good & Plenty, which I don’t.

    Comment by Daniel Thompson on 2/27/11 at 12:36 pm #
  46. I was very disappointed to find out Herschey candy is not being made in Mexico.  Not only does it take away jobs in America it was one candy I could on to get my Grandkids that was made in the USA.  I am sorry for Herschey I know it was probably a tough decision.  I can only hope they will one day change and come back to USA to make candy.

    Comment by Carol Evans on 12/01/11 at 9:36 am #
  47. I have stopped eating Goodies (my fave candy for over 20 years) because they now use that fake black licorice inside them, tastes more like an anise flavour than licorice.
    I’ve actually started eating Good n Plenty instead, but if they are made by the same company then I will stop because I don’t want to support this BS, because part of the problem in this world is not enough real food, everything is artificial and modified.
    Anyone have any ideas as to another similar candy… I miss real black licorice!

    Comment by Invisistill on 12/14/11 at 4:10 pm #
  48. there was glass in the bag of hershy s bag

    Comment by lexie on 3/15/12 at 5:33 pm #
  49. Hershey’s USED to have high quality products - now everything is artificial. 

    Of course it’s clear the company doesn’t have the welfare of the purchaser at heart, or it’s heads wouldn’t mass produce using harmful, artificial ingredients, would they?

    A real shame that a once great company is now ruined.

    Comment by Esther Neufeldt on 4/14/12 at 2:29 am #
  50. WHY have you changed the licorice in goodies its not the same as the origanel. I do not like the licorice you have changed to

    Comment by judy on 4/14/13 at 2:46 pm #
  51. I really miss the melt-in-your mouth chocolate found in all products and brands in previous years.  Other brands seem to be adopting this waxy “chocolate”, including Ghiradelli, which I found out recently after buying their chocolate chips.  I don’t buy peanut M & M’s anymore because of this.(Mars company?)  From now on I will shop at organic food stores to get my chocolate candy fix.  It’s really sad that an American company is “dropping the ball” on this issue.  I think most people would gladly pay more money to get a good quality product.

    Comment by Trish B. on 7/16/14 at 11:21 am #
  52. I purchased a Caramello chocolate bar, and it tasted no good, due to a new recipe. I contacted Hershey, and here is their response:


    Thank you for sharing your comments about our CARAMELLO Candy Bar. We are so sorry to hear our product did not meet your expectations.

    Our goal is to develop products with widespread consumer appeal. While we are sorry to learn of your disappointment, please know that we value your comments. You can be certain we will take them into consideration during future planning.

    As a goodwill gesture, we’re sending out reimbursement which you will receive by postal mail in two weeks.

    We hope you have a sweet day.

    Comment by Kevin on 9/07/14 at 6:03 pm #
  53. #NOHERSHEYPGPRCHOCOLATEFORKIDS
    NO HERSHEY PGPR CHOCOLATE FOR KIDS!

    Comment by Momma on 10/23/14 at 1:49 pm #
  54. HERSHEY’s bulk out their chocolate with really unhealthy, heart disease causing fat that you would never put in real chocolate.
    UK Cadburys has double the cocoa solids (which is the thing that defines the quality of the chocolate the higher the percentage the richer and smoother the chocolate)Palm oil (nasty stuff) high amounts of sugar and undesirable fats are being stuffed into your US chocs. The British versions have more milk, less sugar and more cocoa solids. All far better for quality chocolate. At only 10% cocoa solids in American chocolate you are barely eating chocolate at all. Ban Hershey’s, its killing you. Get some nice chocolate. You can’t let a company hold you all to ransom. Supply and demand

    Comment by Paul B on 11/27/15 at 1:17 pm #
  55. I bought a bag of hereshey kisses with almonds and there were four of the papers in it sticking out of the top. Somebody said that people actually pay for that stuff. If somebody could please email me and let me know if this is true or false that would be great! .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) and if it is true how do I go about selling it,lol thanks again.
    Sincerely, Alicia Ervin

    Comment by Alicia Ervin on 12/07/15 at 11:49 am #
  56. I have always been a Hershey chocolate lover. Years ago I would buy the large Hershey bar and eat the entire bar on one sitting.  Now days their chocolate tastes so nasty and bitter I have a difficult time eating one bite sized serving.

    I don’t know what they have changed, but I find myself looking for the more expensive alternatives.

    Comment by Ron M on 12/08/15 at 10:20 am #
  57. They do taste a bit different but Hershey brand chocolate is the only brand I will buy. I absolutely love the Hershey nuggets with almonds. They are sooo phenomenal. I buy them constantly. I’ve been eating those since I was a little girl. Those taste no different to me.

    Comment by Alicia Ervin on 12/08/15 at 11:04 am #
  58. I was just wondering (for curiosity sake) if you happen to put better ingredients in your Hersheys Minature candy bars than in your regular

    Comment by Bryan Gunn on 2/04/16 at 3:16 am #
  59. do you still make butterscotch tast toons….R

    Comment by ron on 3/01/16 at 5:46 pm #
  60. It seems that Ghirardelli Intense Dark Chocolate squares are no longer made in the USA. On old packages it was clearly stated that it was “Proudly Manufactured in California, USA.” On the new packages it merely states that the chocolate is DISTRIBUTED by the company. And while the company is stated to be in California, this does not mean the product is made here, only that it is distributed by the company whose headquarters are in the USA. I’m finding this little piece of deceit on a lot of things as a way to not mention that the company has moved its jobs out of the country.
    It’s too bad, I really liked that chocolate, but now I will no longer buy it.

    Comment by Tom Kennedy on 2/25/17 at 12:02 pm #
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