Our Frequently Asked Questions section has the answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about our company and our website. Click on a question below to view the answers relating to your selection or view all answers. Links throughout the answers will guide you to further information on our website or from other sources. If you can't find what you're looking for or if you'd like to send us your comments, please consult our
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The Hershey Company (originally Hershey Chocolate Corporation) was organized under the laws of the State of Delaware on October 24, 1927, as a successor to a business founded in 1894 by Milton S. Hershey. For more information on the history of Hershey, visit The Hershey Company website.
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To view a list of products made by The Hershey Company, visit our Product webpage.
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The Hershey Company, 100 Crystal A Drive, Hershey, PA 17033.
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The Hershey Company employs approximately 13,000 employees worldwide.
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The Hershey Company does not own Cadbury Schweppes. However, Hershey has license agreements with affiliated companies of Cadbury Schweppes p.l.c. to manufacture and/or market and distribute YORK, PETER PAUL ALMOND JOY and PETER PAUL MOUNDS confectionery products worldwide, as well as CADBURY and CARAMELLO confectionery products in the United States. Hershey's rights under these agreements are extendible on a long-term basis at the Corporation's option.
Hershey also has an agreement with Societe des Produits Nestle SA, which licenses Hershey to manufacture and distribute KIT KAT and ROLO confectionery products in the United States. Hershey's rights under this agreement are extendible on a long-term basis at Hershey's option, subject to certain conditions.
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Yes! Our history in the town goes back more than 100 years, and we are committed to continue making the world’s best chocolate products in Hershey, Pennsylvania. In fact, the company operates - and will continue to operate - three factories in Hershey.
The Hershey Company is making changes to our global manufacturing network to ensure that our company remains competitive in the global marketplace for the long term. When these changes are completed, 90 percent of the items that Hershey sells in the United States and Canada will continue to be made in these countries.
And we will continue to make HERSHEY'S milk chocolate bars, HERSHEY'S KISSES milk chocolates and REESE'S Peanut Butter Cups as well as a wide range of other products in Hershey, Pennsylvania.
Visit our Manufacturing Network page to take a tour of our plants, and see where we make some of our iconic brands.
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If your idea is submitted through its Consumer Research Team review process and The Hershey Company chooses to further pursue your idea, The Hershey Company may decide to compensate you for the idea, within The Hershey Company’s sole discretion. Under no circumstances will The Hershey Company be obligated to compensate more than one person/entity for an individual product.
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Yes. A parent or legal guardian may submit an idea on behalf of his or her minor child.
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In the past we did not accept any outside ideas or suggestions. New products are under independent consideration and development by our company for many years. At the time of your suggestion, we were not in a position to reveal our product development plans for competitive reasons. On July 10th, 2008, The Hershey Company began a new program which encourages consumers to submit their ideas on our web site. Any ideas submitted previous to this date were not reviewed due to our policy at that time.
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For Investor Relations information and Investor Relations FAQs, visit the Investor Relations web page.
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Visit our online Newsroom to view the press releases.
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Many people don't realize that cocoa and therefore chocolate products deliver many naturally occurring compounds similar to other foods in a healthy, plant-based diet. Some of these beneficial compounds are minerals such as calcium, potassium, magnesium and copper. Much of the current research is focused on another group of compounds called flavanols.
- Because of their molecular structure, many compounds in the flavanol family can act as antioxidants. Antioxidants can have a variety of beneficial effects in the body.
- The cocoa bean contains natural flavanol antioxidants, similar to those found in green tea, red wine and blueberries.
- Cocoa and dark chocolate are among the most concentrated sources of flavanol antioxidants.
- Short-term, preliminary studies have suggested that consumption of products containing cocoa and chocolate may provide cardiovascular benefits. So, while more research, including longer term studies, is needed, the preliminary evidence about the flavanols in chocolate is promising.
To learn more about flavanols in cocoa and chocolate, antioxidants, and other chocolate research, visit our Chocolate Products Information web page.
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The small amount of caffeine present in chocolate occurs naturally in the cocoa bean, unlike the caffeine in soft drinks which is added during the manufacturing process.
Here are some comparisons that may be helpful:
| Coffee |
8 fl. oz. |
65-120 mg |
| Cola-type soft drinks |
12 oz. |
30-55 mg |
| Milk Chocolate |
1 oz. |
5-10 mg |
| Dark Chocolate |
1.4 oz. |
7-50 mg |
The amounts of caffeine in specific HERSHEY'S chocolate products are listed on the Chocolate Products Caffeine page.
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Hershey produces a number of sugar free products that may be useful in a diet for people living with diabetes. Visit HERSHEY'S Sugar Free to learn more about our sugar free products.
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Most confectionery products are at their best flavor for one year after manufacture. Ingredients such as nuts will shorten the shelf life. Products kept beyond recommended "best before" date may have flavor loss or texture changes. Keep in mind, however, that storage conditions greatly affect the quality of our products.
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There is an ink stamped code on Hershey's products. Within that code, usually at the end, there is a two character code that represents the year and the month until which the product is expected to be within its peak freshness. The first character is a number, (0-9) that represents the year. The second character is a letter, (A-L) that represents the month. A=Jan., B=Feb., etc. For example, a code of 7D is best before until April 2007.
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Chocolate contains cocoa butter, a vegetable fat that is sensitive to heat and humidity. Temperatures above 75°F will cause chocolate to melt. The cocoa butter can rise to the surface and form a discoloration called "cocoa butter bloom." Condensation on milk or semi-sweet chocolate may cause the sugar to dissolve and rise to the surface as "sugar bloom." Chocolate that has "bloomed" is certainly safe to use, but flavor loss and texture changes may be noticed.
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Solid chocolate products will maintain their quality if well wrapped and stored in a cool, dry place (55-60°F). While refrigerated chocolate is certainly safe to use, we don't recommend it. Chocolate kept in the refrigerator may "sweat" when brought to room temperature and may not melt properly.
Cocoa is considered a non-perishable item which should maintain quality if stored at room temperature in a tightly sealed container.
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Hershey's product line is available to all distributors and retailers. Unfortunately, shelf-space in stores is limited. Retailers and distributors determine which items they stock based on consumer demand. Asking local store managers to stock a particular product often helps to expand the selection of our products on store shelves. You can also use our Product Locator to help you search for your favorite Hershey's product.
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No. Dutch processed cocoa has an alkalizing agent similar to baking soda added to neutralize the natural acidity of cocoa. It has a more mellow flavor and a darker color.
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Visit our kitchens website to view our Rich Cocoa Fudge Recipe and other delicious recipes.
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Yes. This substitution can also be found on each HERSHEY'S Cocoa can. 3 level tablespoons of cocoa plus 1 tablespoon shortening equals 1 ounce of unsweetened baking chocolate.
