Reese’s Pieces Go Dairy-Free, But You May Still Want to Avoid the Hershey’s Classic

For the first time since launching in the 1970s, Reese’s Pieces are officially dairy-free. The Hershey Company has confirmed the reformulation of Reese’s Pieces that removes milk from the ingredient list, and updated packages are already surfacing in stores.

In a note shared with Go Dairy Free readers, Hershey customer service stated: “We appreciate your interest in our product and would like to share that the recipe for Reese’s Pieces Candy has been reformulated and no longer contains milk. The packaging has been updated to remove milk from the ingredients and the ‘Contains’ statement on the label; however, it is possible that the product in both packages was on the market during the transition. Please review the label on the specific package before purchasing. This label is accurate for the product inside.”

So, does this mean Reese’s Pieces are vegan? The short answer: no.

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Reese’s Pieces go dairy-free

Go Dairy Free’s ingredient comparison shows the change is narrowly targeted: dextrose and milk were removed, and nothing new was added to replace them. That aligns with what shoppers are beginning to see on shelves as older inventory sells through. Hershey’s own allergen guidance echoes the company’s message: checking the label on the specific package in hand is the best way to verify ingredients during transitions like this.

The Hershey Company

Practically, the switch will not look uniform in the near term. Go Dairy Free notes that online ingredient panels and product photos often lag behind in-store updates, particularly for shelf-stable items with long sell-through windows. The site advises consumers to “review the label on the specific package before purchasing,” especially as club stores and regional retailers begin receiving the updated formula.

Despite calls from Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has urged food companies to remove artificial color additives during his term, Reese’s Pieces continue to include artificial dyes such as Yellow 5 Lake, Yellow 6 Lake, Red 40 Lake, and Blue 1 Lake, with no announcement yet of plans to eliminate them.

Dairy-free, but not (yet) vegan

For dairy-avoidant shoppers, the removal of milk is meaningful. For vegans, though, there is a catch: Reese’s Pieces still include confectioner’s glaze, the glossy coating commonly used on candy shells. The Vegetarian Resource Group (VRG) explains that “confectioner’s glaze,” the industry term used by many candy makers, is shellac—a purified secretion from the lac insect used as a food-grade coating.

VRG’s Q&A further notes that confectioner’s glaze is typically an alcohol solution containing approximately 35 percent shellac. Because shellac is insect-derived, products that contain confectioner’s glaze are not considered vegan by most standards.

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Some brands use plant-based alternatives, like corn protein, to achieve the same glossy finish, but many candy companies continue to rely on shellac. Research suggests it takes around 300,000 lac beetles to produce just one kilogram of shellac. On labels, it might appear as “confectioner’s glaze,” “resinous glaze,” or simply the additive code E904.

Ingredients and coatings can vary by market, so international shoppers should not assume US changes map one-to-one overseas. UK listings of Reese’s Pieces, for example, may show different glazing agents such as carnauba wax or beeswax on certain packs, underscoring the importance of checking local labels.

Are any Reese’s products vegan?

For those consumers seeking a vegan Reese’s product, the label’s Plant‑Based Peanut Butter Cups are still on the shelves at stores like Target and Walmart. These cups replace traditional milk chocolate with an oat chocolate confection while retaining the peanut butter core, and they are certified vegan and kosher.

The Hershey Company

For a vegan Reese’s Pieces alternative, a few options stand out. Some readers rave about Unreal Dark Chocolate Covered Peanuts, and Justin’s (which also offers vegan peanut butter cups) recently released Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Candy Pieces into US stores.