Reese’s peanut butter cups are an iconic candy that many of us have loved since childhood. That smooth, creamy peanut butter paired with rich chocolate – what’s not to love? But if you follow certain dietary restrictions, you may be wondering: does Reese’s actually contain pork products?
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll uncover the ingredients behind Reese’s candies so you can enjoy them confidently – or seek out alternatives if needed. Let’s dive in!
A Brief History of Reese’s
First, a quick history lesson. Reese’s was founded way back in 1923 by a man named Harry Burnett Reese. He worked at a dairy farm owned by the Hershey Company in Pennsylvania.
In his spare time, Harry experimented with chocolate and peanut butter confections. He ended up leaving his job at the dairy to start his own candy company, using Hershey’s chocolate. This launched the iconic Reese’s brand we know and love today.
Over the decades, Reese’s expanded beyond just peanut butter cups to offer other candies like Reese’s Pieces, Reese’s Puffs cereal, Reese’s chocolate spreads, and more The company was acquired by Hershey’s in 1963 but continues to operate under the Reese’s brand name.
Now let’s take a look at what exactly is inside those sweet treats!
Main Ingredients in Reese’s Products
Reese’s candies are made using these core ingredients:
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Chocolate – Typically milk chocolate containing cocoa butter, cocoa liquor, milk ingredients, sugar, and emulsifiers like soy lecithin.
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Peanuts – Roasted peanuts are used for the peanut butter filling and in candies like Reese’s Pieces.
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Sugar – Granulated cane sugar adds sweetness. Some products also contain corn syrup or other sweeteners.
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Palm oil – Adds smoothness and texture to chocolate and peanut butter. RSPO certified sustainable palm oil is used.
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Dairy – Milk ingredients like milk fat, skim milk, and lactose provide creaminess.
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Emulsifiers – Soy lecithin and PGPR (polyglycerol polyricinoleate) bind ingredients together.
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Natural flavors – Vanilla and other natural flavors enhance taste.
Now let’s address the pork question specifically.
Does Reese’s Contain Pork Products?
Here’s the good news for those avoiding pork for dietary, religious or personal reasons:
Reese’s products do not contain any pork, pork derivatives, or other meat products.
This has been confirmed by reviewing ingredients lists for popular Reese’s items like Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, Reese’s Pieces, Reese’s Puffs, and Reese’s spreads. None contain pork, gelatin or other animal-derived ingredients outside of dairy.
Importantly, Reese’s does not use any alcohol or pork products in their delicious treats. All ingredients used are approved for use in food products by the FDA and other regulatory agencies.
Additionally, Reese’s states that all their products are certified as being vegetarian-friendly and Halal. This further confirms their products do not contain pork and are permissible for these diets.
Potential Non-Vegan Ingredients
While Reese’s products do not contain pork, it’s important to note that they are not fully vegan due to containing dairy ingredients.
Some potential non-vegan ingredients found in Reese’s candies include:
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Milk chocolate – Contains milk fat, milk powder, and lactose.
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Butter oil – Derived from milk fats, used in chocolate and peanut butter.
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Non-fat milk – Used to provide creaminess and texture.
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Lactose – A milk-based sugar.
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Casein – A protein found in milk, used in some products.
So those following a strictly vegan diet would need to avoid Reese’s products due to the dairy content. There are some vegan alternatives available which we’ll cover next.
Vegan and Halal-Friendly Reese’s Alternatives
Here are some popular alternatives to enjoy if you follow a vegan or halal diet:
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Justin’s Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups – Vegan, gluten-free and Kosher certified.
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Unreal Peanut Butter Cups – Made with fair trade chocolate and organic ingredients. Vegan and Kosher.
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YumEarth Organic Fruit Snacks – Vegan, gluten-free and Kosher versions of gummy candy.
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Surf Sweets Fruity Bears – Organic gummy bears that are vegan and Kosher.
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Enjoy Life Ricemilk Crunch Bars – Dairy-free chocolate bars made with rice milk. Vegan, nut-free and Kosher.
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Pascha Organic Dark Chocolate Bars – 55% cacao bars sweetened with coconut sugar. Vegan, dairy-free and Kosher.
So there are plenty of tasty alternatives to choose from if you want an option free of pork and dairy! Be sure to check labels for certifications like halal, kosher, vegan, or dairy-free.
Tips for Checking Ingredient Lists
Reading food labels carefully is key if you follow a restricted diet. Here are some tips:
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Scan for the big allergens like wheat, dairy, nuts, shellfish.
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Look for general terms like “natural flavors” that could hide animal products.
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Check for gelatin, casein, whey or other animal derivatives.
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Look for kosher, halal, or vegan symbols if needed.
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Research less common additives you aren’t familiar with.
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Contact manufacturers if you have any questions.
Following these guidelines can help ensure the treats you choose align with your dietary needs and restrictions.
Enjoying Reese’s Products in Moderation
Reese’s makes a delicious candy that many of us find hard to resist! Just be mindful that like any sweet treat, they are best enjoyed responsibly and in moderation.
While an occasional Reese’s cup or handful of Pieces won’t hurt, eating large quantities frequently can impact your health and waistline. Practice portion control and balance indulgent snacks with plenty of wholesome, nutrient-dense foods.
The Verdict: Can You Enjoy Reese’s on a Halal or Vegan Diet?
After reviewing the ingredients, here’s a quick summary:
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Reese’s products do not contain pork, alcohol, or any animal-derived ingredients other than dairy.
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This makes them permissible for those following a halal or vegetarian diet, but not vegan due to milk content.
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Alternatives like vegan peanut butter cups are available if you want to avoid all animal products.
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Be sure to check labels closely and contact manufacturers with any questions.
So go ahead and enjoy your favorite Reese’s treats if you follow a halal diet! Those on a vegan diet can find substitutes made with plant-based ingredients. No matter what your dietary needs, you can still satisfy that chocolate-peanut butter craving.
HOW IT’S MADE: Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
FAQ
Is there gelatin in Reese’s?
Do reeses have animal products?
What are the ingredients in Reese’s?
Is there meat in reese’s?
What is a Reese’s BBQ sandwich?
The sandwich, named “BBQ Reese’s Sandwich,” is made with pulled pork doused in Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ sauce and topped with bacon bits and crushed and crumbled Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. Although the saying goes “don’t knock it until you try it,” a lot of people decided to ignore that idiom altogether.
Do Reese’s candies have peanut butter?
Whether in the form of peanut butter cups, pieces, or minis, the signature combination of chocolate and peanut butter in Reese’s candies can be hard to resist.
Do Reese’s pieces contain chocolate?
This might be enormously disappointing to anyone who considered themselves to be a devoted Reese’s Pieces consumer and it’s ok to feel betrayed, however, technically Reese’s never told us these bite-sized candies contained any chocolate in the first place. Here are the ingredients. Luckily they do contain peanuts. PHEW.
Do Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups have chocolate in them?
There’s also the fact that Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups thankfully do have milk chocolate in them, so maybe we just automatically assumed all Reese’s products gave us both a chocolate and peanut butter fix. Either way, it’s pretty disappointing. Does this mean we’re going to stop eating them? That’s a totally different question. Now you know.