Palm Oil in Popular Hershey's Products
For many consumers, the question of whether a favorite candy contains palm oil is a matter of both health and environmental concern. When it comes to The Hershey Company, the answer is not a simple yes or no; it depends entirely on the specific product. For example, the classic Hershey's Milk Chocolate Bar and Hershey's Kisses primarily use cocoa butter as their fat source, not palm oil. However, once you move beyond these foundational products, the ingredient list often changes dramatically.
Products Containing Palm Oil
Many of Hershey's popular candies and confectionery items incorporate palm oil, typically listed as part of a 'vegetable oil' blend. These products often have fillings, wafers, or require a different texture than a simple chocolate bar. Some common examples include:
- Kit Kat Miniatures: The ingredient list includes 'Vegetable Oil (Palm Oil, Palm Kernel Oil)' to create the wafer's distinctive texture.
- Reese's Peanut Butter Cups: While not always the case across all variations, many Reese's products list vegetable oils, including palm oil, alongside cocoa butter.
- Almond Joy and Mounds: These coconut-based bars explicitly list palm oil as a key vegetable oil.
- Select Candy Bars with Fillings: Products like Jolly Rancher Chews also use palm oil for texture and consistency.
Products Free of Palm Oil
As mentioned, some of the most classic Hershey's products do not contain palm oil in their traditional formulas. Their simple ingredient list relies on cocoa butter and milk fat. These products typically include:
- Classic Hershey's Milk Chocolate Bar: Made with sugar, milk, chocolate, cocoa butter, milk fat, and lecithin, with no palm oil.
- Hershey's Special Dark Bar: Contains sugar, chocolate, cocoa butter, milk fat, and cocoa processed with alkali.
- Hershey's Kisses Milk Chocolate: Ingredients are milk chocolate, sugar, milk, chocolate, cocoa butter, milk fat, and lecithin.
Hershey's Sustainable Palm Oil Commitment
Since palm oil production has well-documented environmental and social impacts, The Hershey Company has taken steps to address these concerns. The company is a member of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) and has a detailed sourcing policy. Hershey's states its commitment to sourcing 100% responsibly grown palm oil that is certified and traceable.
Progress Toward Sustainability
Hershey's has outlined several key initiatives to meet its sustainability goals, which include commitments to "No Deforestation, No Peat, and No Exploitation" (NDPE).
- Traceability: The company works with its suppliers to trace its palm oil back to the mill level and aims for traceability to the plantation level.
- Monitoring: Hershey's uses satellite monitoring systems, in partnership with organizations like the Earthworm Foundation, to monitor for deforestation in its supply chain.
- Engagement: The company engages with suppliers to ensure their compliance with NDPE policies and uses a grievance procedure for reported violations.
Reading the Labels: A Consumer's Guide
The most reliable way to determine if a Hershey's product contains palm oil is to read the ingredient list on the packaging. Ingredients are typically listed in descending order by weight, so those appearing first are most abundant. Look for phrases like "vegetable oil (palm oil, palm kernel oil)" or a similar combination. Some products, particularly those marketed as "chocolatey" or "plant-based," may substitute cocoa butter with other vegetable oils.
Comparison of Selected Hershey's Products
| Product | Does it contain palm oil? | Key Fat Ingredient | Sustainability Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Classic Hershey's Milk Chocolate Bar | No | Cocoa Butter, Milk Fat | --- |
| Reese's Peanut Butter Cups | Yes (in some variations) | Vegetable Oil (Palm Oil), Cocoa Butter | Sourced sustainably by Hershey's |
| Kit Kat | Yes | Vegetable Oil (Palm Oil, Palm Kernel Oil) | Sourced sustainably by Hershey's |
| Almond Joy | Yes | Vegetable Oil (Palm Oil, Shea Oil, etc.) | Sourced sustainably by Hershey's |
| Hershey's Kisses | No | Cocoa Butter, Milk Fat | --- |
| Hershey's Plant-Based Bar | No | Sunflower Oil | Vegan option, uses oat flour instead of milk |
Conclusion
In conclusion, whether a Hershey's product contains palm oil depends on the specific item. The company's classic chocolate bars and kisses typically rely on cocoa butter, while many of its other candies, particularly those with fillings, wafers, or unique textures, incorporate palm oil as part of a vegetable oil blend. Hershey's is a member of the RSPO and has outlined a commitment to source this palm oil responsibly, with goals for increased traceability and verified deforestation-free supply chains. For consumers, checking the specific ingredient list is the best way to know for certain. The company's transparency efforts, including its collaboration with organizations like the Earthworm Foundation, aim to address ethical sourcing concerns. You can find more information on their official stance at The Hershey Company's Sustainable Palm Oil page.
What are some alternatives to palm oil in confectionery?
- Coconut Oil: Offers a similar solid texture at room temperature.
- Sunflower Oil: A liquid oil often used in plant-based and vegan products.
- Shea Butter: Sometimes used as a cocoa butter alternative.
- Cocoa Butter: The natural fat of the cocoa bean, central to traditional chocolate production.
- Palm Oil from sustainable sources: The focus of many companies, including Hershey's, to mitigate environmental impact.
