Hershey Makes '200 Calories or Less' Commitment by 2022
HERSHEY, Pa. — The Hershey Co. is reaffirming its commitment to choice and transparency.
Through the company’s latest commitment, Hershey will make 50 percent of its total portfolio of individually wrapped standard- and king-size confectionery products with 200 calories or less by 2022. Hershey is also committing that 100 percent of its standard- and king-size confectionery products will feature Facts Up Front, easy-to-read front-of-pack calorie labels, by the end of 2018.
According to Hershey, it is the first confectionery and snacking company to make such a commitment for its entire standard- and king-size range of products.
“Consumers are at the heart of all that we do and we have been at the forefront of providing the choice and transparency they want,” said President and CEO Michele Buck. “We aim to delight our consumers and these steps will provide an even wider range of portion options and clear information to help them select treats that fit their lifestyle.”
Currently, about 31 percent of Hershey standard- and king-size confectionery products are already 200 calories or less and 70 percent of products carry the Facts Up Front calorie label.
The company expects that the 200-calorie commitment will be achieved through a combination of reformulation, innovative new products and adjusting the size of certain items in the portfolio, Hershey stated.
As part of its commitment, by 2020 new king-size options will also enable consumers to more easily share or save a piece for later.
Building Blocks to Sustainability & Transparency
The Hershey Co. has embarked on a long road of sustainabilty and transparency efforts. Here's a brief timeline:
2015: In February, Hershey committed to transitioning to simple ingredients, and today offers products that deliver on that promise across its portfolio, including: Hershey’s Milk Chocolate Bars, Hershey’s Kisses Milk Chocolate and Krave Jerky.
The company also spearheaded the development and adoption of SmartLabel, a tool that gives consumers access to detailed ingredient information in real time.
2016: Hershey reported that it had sourced 60 percent of all the cocoa it purchased globally in 2016 from certified and sustainable sources, enough cocoa to surpass the amount required for the global production of its four most popular brands: Hershey’s, Kisses, Kit Kat and Brookside.
2017: In March, Hershey launched Sourcemap, a new interactive pilot experience. As the name implies, Sourcemap is an interactive mapping tool that provides visibility into the supply chain by showing consumers where Hershey has plotted its manufacturing facilities, as well as the origins of key ingredients for two of the company's most iconic products, Hershey's Milk Chocolate with Almonds and Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, CSNews Online previously reported.
Also, detailed SmartLabel product and ingredient information will be available online for 100 percent of its products.
2018: SmartLabel QR Codes will be on all packaging linked to detailed product and ingredient information.
2020: According to the company, by 2020, all everyday Hershey’s brand chocolate confection products will have simple ingredients. The company is also on track to achieve its commitment to source 100 percent of all the cocoa it purchases globally from certified and sustainable sources by 2020.
Headquartered in Hershey, The Hershey Co. has more than 80 brands globally that drive more than $7.4 billion in annual revenues.