The grandson of the man who invented the Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup is publicly criticizing The Hershey Company, accusing the candy giant of quietly changing the recipe of certain products sold by the iconic brand.

Brad Reese, grandson of founder H.B. Reese, whose company merged with Hershey in the 1960s, published an open letter on LinkedIn Saturday alleging that Hershey has replaced traditional ingredients like milk chocolate and peanut butter with lower-cost substitutes in parts of the Reese’s product line.

“My grandfather built Reese’s on a simple, enduring architecture: milk chocolate + peanut butter,” Brad Reese wrote. 

“But today, Reese’s identity is being rewritten, not by storytellers, but by formulation decisions that replace milk chocolate with compound coatings and peanut butter with peanut‑butter‑style crèmes across multiple Reese’s products.”

CHOCOLATE BARS PULLED FROM SHELVES NATIONWIDE OVER SALMONELLA CONCERNS

Brad Reese, grandson of Reese’s founder H.B. Reese, sounded off on The Hershey Company in an open letter Saturday. (Arne Dedert/picture alliance via Getty Images / Getty Images)

Brad Reese told FOX Business he recently purchased Reese’s Unwrapped Chocolate Peanut Butter Creme Mini Hearts candies and immediately noticed a difference.

“I went and bought a bag, and I took a couple bites, and I had to throw the bag in the garbage,” Reese said. “I couldn’t eat it. It was not edible, and I looked at the packaging … and there was no milk chocolate, there was no peanut butter — it was all vegetable oils and fats.”

He also claimed that products such as Reese’s Take 5 and Fast Break are no longer coated in milk chocolate and alleged that, in parts of Europe, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups no longer contain milk chocolate.

Brad Reese argues that the alleged recipe changes undermine the legacy and integrity of the brand his grandfather built.

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Reese argues that the changes undermine his grandfather’s legacy. (Lindsey Nicholson/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images / Getty Images)

“I can’t go on representing being the grandson of Reese’s when the product is total bunk,” Brad Reese told FOX Business. “You have no idea how devastating it is.”

Hershey pushed back on the criticism, maintaining that its flagship product remains unchanged.

“Our iconic Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups are made the same way they always have been; starting with roasting fresh peanuts to make our unique, one-of-a-kind peanut butter that is then combined with milk chocolate,” The Hershey Company told FOX Business in an email. 

However, Hershey acknowledged that it has adjusted recipes as it expands the brand into new shapes and variations.

“We make product recipe adjustments that allow us to make new shapes, sizes and innovations that Reese’s fans have come to love and ask for, while always protecting the essence of what makes Reese’s unique and special: the perfect combination of chocolate and peanut butter,” the company said.

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Hershey pushed back, insisting its “iconic Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups are made the same way they always have been; starting with roasting fresh peanuts to make our unique, one-of-a-kind peanut butter that is then combined with milk chocolate.” (Ryan Collerd/Bloomberg via Getty Images / Getty Images)

The dispute comes as the broader chocolate industry has faced intense cost pressures.

Over the past two years, several chocolate makers have adjusted their recipes after cocoa prices surged to a record high in late 2024, Reuters reported.

In July, Hershey reportedly announced price increases across its candy portfolio, citing an “unprecedented” rise in cocoa costs.

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Since then, cocoa prices have dropped, driven by weakening demand and improving supply conditions, according to Reuters.

Danaher

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increase; green up pointing triangle has struck a deal to acquire medical-device maker Masimo MASI 0.42%increase; green up pointing triangle for almost $10 billion, the companies said on Tuesday.

The details

Danaher said it will pay $180 per share in cash for Masimo, a nearly 40% premium to where the stock closed Friday, confirming an earlier report by The Wall Street Journal.

Youth unemployment has surged to its highest level in more than a decade, raising fears of a “lost generation” and intensifying expectations that the Bank of England will cut interest rates next month.

Figures from the Office for National Statistics show that in the three months to December 2025, the unemployment rate among 16 to 24-year-olds climbed to 16.1 per cent. That equates to nearly 740,000 young people out of work, an increase of around 120,000 in under a year.

In the first quarter of 2024, before the implementation of higher employer national insurance contributions and minimum wage rises, the youth unemployment rate stood at 14.2 per cent, or roughly 620,000 people.

The rise means young people account for nearly half of the total increase in unemployment across the economy over the same period, despite representing just 13 per cent of the working-age population.

Economists warn that while spikes in youth joblessness were seen during the 2008 financial crisis and the Covid-19 pandemic, the current rise is unusual because it has occurred without a comparable surge in unemployment among older age groups.

Peter Dixon, senior economist at the National Institute of Economic and Social Research, said younger workers were being “priced out of the market”. Louise Murphy of the Resolution Foundation noted that almost one in six young people who want to work cannot find a job.

Some analysts argue that recent fiscal policy changes have disproportionately affected entry-level employment. Increases in employer national insurance contributions and the compression of minimum wage differentials between age bands have raised labour costs for sectors such as hospitality, retail and leisure, industries that traditionally provide first jobs for school leavers and students.

Further pressure is expected in April when additional provisions of the government’s Employment Rights Act, including expanded sick pay entitlements, come into force.

Despite the deteriorating employment figures, there is a positive element within the data: economic inactivity among young people has returned close to pre-pandemic levels, suggesting more are seeking work. However, many are struggling to secure positions.

The softening labour market has reinforced expectations that policymakers will move to support growth. Financial markets are increasingly confident that the Bank of England will cut its base rate from 3.75 per cent to 3.5 per cent when its monetary policy committee meets on 19 March.

Analysts at Bank of America said the rise in unemployment and easing wage growth “keeps us comfortable with our base case of a March cut”, while ING economist James Smith described the latest jobs report as keeping the central bank “firmly on track” for a reduction.

In its most recent forecasts, the Bank of England acknowledged that downturns in employment often emerge first among younger cohorts, warning that current trends may signal broader weakness in labour demand.

With inflation easing and growth subdued, attention now turns to whether rate cuts can help prevent the recent spike in youth unemployment from becoming entrenched.

Amy Ingham

Amy is a newly qualified journalist specialising in business journalism at Business Matters with responsibility for news content for what is now the UK’s largest print and online source of current business news.

Between January and March, if you browse the fresh produce aisles of the UK’s biggest food retailers, including Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda, Aldi and Lidl, you’re likely to see spring onions, radishes, green beans, chillis, butternut squash, and cobs of corn, all labelled Produce of Senegal.

Mario Kart World for the Nintendo Switch 2 crushed the competition in Japan’s physical video game sales for January 2026, moving 124,320 units and pushing its lifetime total past 2.79 million copies, according to aggregated Famitsu data released this month.

The racing juggernaut, launched June 5, 2025, alongside the Switch 2 console, maintained its stranglehold on the market despite a 70% drop from December’s blockbuster numbers. Its enduring appeal — fueled by bundle sales, online multiplayer and expansive “connected world” courses — underscores Nintendo’s dominance in a typically slow post-holiday month devoid of major new releases.

Famitsu’s monthly breakdown, covering physical retail sales across all platforms, highlights a top five occupied by just three titles due to dual Switch and Switch 2 editions. Nintendo secured the top publisher spot, with its hardware also leading: the Switch 2 sold 453,433 units (down from 815,632 in December, lifetime over 4 million in Japan), while the original Switch moved 91,109.

Here’s the Famitsu top five physical best-sellers for January 2026:

The board game-style Momotaro Dentetsu 2, released November 2025, claimed second with strong legs across original Switch and upgraded editions, reflecting Japanese gamers’ love for localized, social titles. Pokemon Legends: Z-A dual packs rounded out the podium, with the Switch 2 version outperforming its predecessor amid hardware migration.

January’s sluggish pace — typical after year-end rushes — saw no top-five newcomers, allowing evergreen hits to shine. Mario Kart World’s January haul, while down sharply, still outpaced rivals by a wide margin, cementing its status as Japan’s fastest-selling Mario Kart entry ever, bolstered by Switch 2 bundles.

Nintendo’s eShop digital charts paint a similar picture of hybrid dominance. On Switch 2, Dragon Quest VII Reimagined Digital Deluxe led, but Mario Kart World ranked third behind Momotaro Dentetsu 2’s enhanced edition. The original Switch eShop crowned Momotaro #1, with Mario Kart 8 Deluxe lagging at #15 — a sign of the classic yielding to its successor.

Late-month Famitsu weekly data (Jan. 26-Feb. 1) underscores the trend: Bandai Namco’s new PS5 title Code Vein II debuted at #1 with 14,452 units, but Mario Kart World held #2 (12,445, lifetime 2.805 million). Other notables included Animal Crossing: New Horizons Switch 2 Edition (#3) and Pokemon holdovers.

Analysts attribute Nintendo’s sweep to Switch 2’s momentum — over 4 million units sold domestically since June — and evergreen software libraries enhanced for the new hardware. Mario Kart World, with its seamless online play and vast track variety, continues to drive console adoption, much like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe did for the original Switch (over 6.5 million in Japan).

Competition stirred with ports like Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade (#9 weekly) and Dynasty Warriors: Origins, but Nintendo’s family-friendly staples prevailed. PlayStation 5 trailed in hardware (exact Jan figures unavailable), while Xbox remained negligible.

As February unfolds, eyes turn to upcoming releases like Dragon Quest expansions and potential Switch 2 exclusives. Mario Kart World’s reign signals a robust 2026 for Nintendo in its home market, where physical sales still thrive alongside digital growth.

Dallas Mavericks star guard Kyrie Irving will miss the rest of the 2025-26 NBA season to continue rehabilitation from a torn left ACL suffered nearly a year ago, the team announced Wednesday, marking the first full-season absence in his 15-year career and shifting focus to a strong return in 2026-27.

The Mavericks made the announcement two days before resuming play after the All-Star break, confirming Irving has made steady progress but will not return this year. The nine-time All-Star tore the ACL on March 3, 2025, during a 122-98 loss to the Sacramento Kings, playing just over nine minutes and scoring seven points before exiting. He underwent reconstructive surgery later that month and missed the final 20 games of the 2024-25 season.

Irving, 33, has not appeared in any games this season. The team stated he will remain actively engaged with the Mavericks through the campaign’s end, supporting teammates and staff while prioritizing long-term health.

“This decision wasn’t easy, but it’s the right one,” Irving said in a team release. “I’m looking forward to coming back stronger next season.” His agent, Shetellia Riley Irving, told ESPN the choice emphasizes being “1,000% ready” for a championship pursuit in 2026-27.

The Mavericks enter the post-All-Star stretch with a 19-35 record, sitting 12th in the Western Conference and well out of playoff contention. The decision aligns with a cautious approach amid the team’s struggles, allowing Irving extended recovery time beyond the typical 9-12 month timeline for ACL repairs. Some initial speculation had suggested a possible late-season return around March, but the Mavericks opted against risking re-injury.

Irving’s absence compounds backcourt challenges for Dallas, which has relied on younger guards and role players this season. The Mavericks acquired Irving in a 2023 trade from the Brooklyn Nets, pairing him with Luka Dončić in a high-profile tandem that reached the Western Conference finals in 2024. Injuries and inconsistency have limited that potential, with Irving playing fewer than 60 games in each of his first two full seasons with the team.

Despite the setback, the announcement has drawn support from fans and analysts who view it as prudent for Irving’s longevity and the franchise’s future. Social media reactions highlighted optimism for a fully healthy Irving teaming with emerging talents — including potential lottery pick Cooper Flagg in future drafts — to chase titles.

Irving’s career highlights include an NBA championship with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016, where his clutch performance in Game 7 sealed the win over the Golden State Warriors. A dynamic scorer and ball-handler, he ranks among the league’s elite in handles and mid-range efficiency when healthy.

The Mavericks continue their season Friday against an opponent yet to be specified post-break, focusing on development and positioning for the offseason. No timetable for Irving’s on-court return has been set beyond next season, but the team expressed confidence in his progress.

NBA medical experts note ACL recoveries vary, with modern protocols emphasizing gradual ramp-up to contact. Irving’s extended timeline reflects a conservative strategy to minimize re-tear risk, common in high-level athletes.

As Dallas navigates the final months without its star guard, attention turns to roster adjustments and youth development ahead of what the organization hopes will be a revitalized 2026-27 campaign with Irving leading the charge.