Hershey's Announces More Organic Kisses, Flavoring Chocolate with Real Vanilla

The legendary chocolate brand Hershey's is taking a more organic approach towards its kisses.

The candy company is taking steps to rid its chocolate of processed ingredients, reports the Associated Press.

Hershey advised this week that its milk chocolate Hershey's kisses and bars are now made with flavor from real vanilla instead of artificial flavoring. Associated Press advises this change is the first part of The Hershey Co.'s previously announced plan to use simpler ingredients. Customers who actually read the back of their products will find vanillin, the artificial vanilla flavoring, will no longer be part of the ingredients list. It will be replaced with "natural flavor."

Hershey also did away with lactose, which is a sugar in milk, as well as PGPR, used in their chocolate bars.

PGPR, also known as Polyglycerol polyricinoleate, is an emulsifier. It is derived from castor bean oil and used to improve the "flow characteristics of chocolate so that it can be pumped more freely in a manufacturing plant" states Hershey's website. They also explain, PGPR is a commonly used and safe ingredient. PGPR will be replaced with more cocoa butter in order to produce the right texture.

The newer blend of chocolates have already hit stores. Hershey said the updated chocolates shipped a few weeks ago and are already in stores or they will be once stores begin replenishing their shelves.

The new holiday products will also roll out with a new feature. The Pennsylvania-based company announced Holiday Hershey's Kisses Milk Chocolate packages will pilot their new SmartLabelTM .

The new mobile tool will allow customers to scan a QR code to instantly get detailed product information, from ingredients and nutrition facts to allergens.

"We started making our great-tasting chocolate in 1894 with ingredients you might find in your pantry, like cocoa, milk, sugar and vanilla, and we're continuing that tradition today," said Mary-Ann Somers, vice president and general manager of US Confection, The Hershey Company in a statement. "People want to see ingredients that they know and are familiar with in their foods and we're listening. Our commitments to simple ingredients and transparency continue with some of our most popular products, Hershey's Kisses Milk Chocolates and Hershey's Milk Chocolate Bars."

"There is a growing expectation for companies to provide more transparency about all that goes into their products and we're at the forefront, piloting the SmartLabel^TM this holiday season," Somers added.

In February, Hershey announced it would start the process of simplifying its ingredient list. As Associated Press points out, this task could take years to complete.