Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Plant-Based Reese's Cups Hit Stores This Month; Chocolate Bar to Follow
gvw_ap_news
By Associated Press
Published 2 years ago on
March 7, 2023

Share

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups are getting the vegan treatment.

The Hershey Co. said Tuesday that Reese’s Plant Based Peanut Butter Cups, which go on sale this month, will be its first vegan chocolates sold nationally. A second plant-based offering, Hershey’s Plant Based Extra Creamy with Almonds and Sea Salt, will follow in April.

The chocolates are made with oats instead of milk, Hershey said.

Hershey has experimented with vegan chocolate before. It sold an oat-based chocolate bar called Oat Made in some test markets starting in 2021. But the new products will be the first sold throughout the U.S. under the “Plant Based” label.

Hershey said consumers want choice and are looking for products they consider healthier or with fewer ingredients, including reduced sugar and plant-based options. Hershey also introduced an organic version of Reese’s Cups in February 2021.

Younger consumers, in particular, are looking to reduce consumption of animal-based products, says Euromonitor, a market research firm. In a 2021 survey, Euromonitor found that 54% of Generation Z consumers were restricting animal-based products from their diets, compared to 34% of Baby Boomers.

Nestle has sold its KitKat V, a vegan KitKat bar, in Europe since 2021, while Cadbury sells a vegan chocolate bar in the United Kingdom. But so far, U.S. vegan chocolate options have generally been limited to premium brands, like Lindt, or organic chocolatiers like Hu Kitchen.

Hershey said it developed plant-based versions of Reese’s Cups and Hershey bars __ some of its most popular products __ because there’s a dearth of mainstream plant-based chocolates in the U.S. market.

The plant-based versions will cost more. Hershey wouldn’t share details because it said retailers set final prices. But Rite Aid lists a 1.4-ounce package of two plant-based Reese’s Cups at $2.49; that’s about $1 more than consumers would pay for a regular package. Hershey charges a similar premium for organic versions of its Reese Cups, which went on sale in 2021.

And ditching the dairy won’t cut calories. While Hershey didn’t release all of the nutritional facts, the 1.4-ounce package of plant-based Reese’s Cups have 210 calories; that’s the same number of calories as a 1.5-ounce package of traditional Reese’s Cups.

RELATED TOPICS:

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

UP NEXT

Trump Is Not Interested in Talking to Musk as They Feud Over Tax-Cut Bill

Trump Has Options to Punish Musk Even if His Federal Contracts Continue

18 hours ago

Ukrainian Attack Damaged 10% of Russia’s Strategic Bombers, Germany Says

19 hours ago

Sights & Sounds: The 2025 Fresno Rainbow Pride Parade and Festival

The 35th Annual Fresno Rainbow Pride Parade and Festival brought vibrant sights, sounds, and unity to the Tower District and Fresno City Col...

13 hours ago

13 hours ago

Sights & Sounds: The 2025 Fresno Rainbow Pride Parade and Festival

17 hours ago

Trump Says Musk Relationship Over, Warns of ‘Serious Consequences’ if He Funds Democrats

18 hours ago

Iran Says It Obtained Sensitive Israeli Nuclear Documents

18 hours ago

Trump Has Options to Punish Musk Even if His Federal Contracts Continue

19 hours ago

Ukrainian Attack Damaged 10% of Russia’s Strategic Bombers, Germany Says

19 hours ago

Riot Police, Anti-ICE Protesters Square Off in Los Angeles After Raids

1 day ago

Why Reforming California’s Bedrock Environmental Law Is Good for the Environment

1 day ago

Sinner Bids for His First French Open Title Against Defending Champion Alcaraz

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend