McVitie's Reduces Cocoa in Club and Penguin Biscuits, Now 'Chocolate Flavour'

For those who love a generous chocolate coating on their biscuits, a heartbreaking change is afoot. McVitie's has quietly reformulated its beloved Club and Penguin biscuits, reducing cocoa content so significantly they're now officially labeled as "chocolate flavour" rather than actual chocolate.

The iconic lunchbox treats, which have satisfied sweet cravings for decades, now contain less cocoa than required to meet the UK's legal chocolate standard. The move comes as McVitie's parent company faces unprecedented cocoa price hikes, forcing the manufacturer to make difficult recipe adjustments.

"It feels like losing a piece of childhood," said Sarah Jenkins, 34, a mother of three from Manchester who has packed Penguins in school bags since 2019. "The kids noticed immediately - they said it tasted sweeter, not as rich. It's just not the same biscuit anymore."

The recipe change reflects broader industry pressures. Global cocoa prices have surged over 40% this year alone due to poor harvests in West Africa and rising demand from Asia. Food manufacturers across Europe are facing similar dilemmas between maintaining quality margins and keeping prices affordable for consumers.

While McVitie's maintains taste tests show the reformulated biscuits remain popular, nutritionists warn the reduced cocoa content means fewer antioxidants and potentially higher sugar content to compensate for flavour. The company insists the changes allow them to keep the beloved treats at the same price point during economically challenging times.

As shoppers face empty supermarket shelves where Penguins once stood, one question lingers: will future generations know the true joy of a chocolate-dipped biscuit, or will "chocolate flavour" become the new normal?

Read the original article: The Guardian