McVitie’s has reformulated its iconic Club and Penguin biscuits, replacing their traditional chocolate coating with a:

 

"chocolate flavour" substitute.

 

This change, implemented earlier in 2025, was driven by soaring cocoa prices resulting from poor harvests in Ghana and the Ivory Coast.

 

The new coating contains more palm and shea oils than cocoa, meaning the products can no longer be officially labelled as chocolate biscuits.

 

Despite the recipe change, McVitie’s claims that consumer taste tests show the new coating delivers the same great taste as the originals. The company has updated its marketing slogan for Club biscuits to reflect the change. Other products, such as Mini BN and BN Mini Rolls, were already marketed as "chocolate flavour" rather than containing real chocolate. The rising cost of cocoa has led several manufacturers, including Nestlé, to adjust recipes, reduce product sizes, or cut cocoa content to maintain affordability for consumers.

 

Key Takeaways:

 

McVitie’s has replaced the chocolate coating on Club and Penguin biscuits with a "chocolate flavour" substitute due to high cocoa prices.

 

The new recipe contains more palm and shea oils than cocoa, so the products can no longer be officially labelled as chocolate biscuits.

 

Despite the change, consumer taste tests indicate the new coating delivers the same great taste as the originals.

 

 

Adapted From 

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/oct/18/chocolate-biscuit-club-penguin-mcvities-cocoa-prices

 

 

They were better in Hong Kong, McVitie’s I mean....

 

Too expensive for me here in Thailand.

 

McVitie’s have been a distant, yet fond, memory for me, during the past two decades.

 

All good things shall pass.

 

 

Big C on Pattaya klang were selling Club Orange biscuits for 10 baht/pack of 6 a few weeks ago......I stocked up 👍

Doing a Ratner. RIP clubs and penguins.

What's next, Eccles cakes without currants? 🤣

 

3 hours ago, Bacon1 said:

soaring cocoa prices resulting from poor harvests in Ghana and the Ivory Coast

Question with this OP is more : Why doesn't Thailand produce cocoa ?

Same climate , in the south at least.

Thats what AI comments to your absolute good question:

 

Thailand doesn't produce a massive amount of cocoa because

farmers have historically prioritized more profitable crops, government promotion has been inconsistent, and a lack of local processing has reduced demand. While Thailand has the right climate for cacao and a growing craft chocolate industry, a lack of consistent government support, high import taxes on raw beans that hurt local processing, and the higher profitability of crops like durian have caused farmers to switch away from cocoa production. 

8 hours ago, FlorC said:

Question with this OP is more : Why doesn't Thailand produce cocoa ?

Same climate , in the south at least.

Actually Thailand does produce cocoa but not in large quantities. Since some time already there are coffee fair exhibitions in shopping centers in Bangkok. Surprisingly

more and more chocolate producers who grow own cocoa beans offer their products there as well. There is a well known resort and chocolate farm in Nan (just to name one example)

Oh my God, that's why they're so cheap.

'If you want more choccolate flavoured substitute on your biscuit join our club"!

 

Not very catchy any more is it?

9 hours ago, Bacon1 said:

What's next, Eccles cakes without currants? 🤣

 

As an aside, are they named for the Lancashire town or the character from The Goon Show?

 

 

Can't wait for penguin flavoured ones.

19 hours ago, SunnyinBangrak said:

Doing a Ratner. RIP clubs and penguins.

The corporate policy of ‘en<deleted>ification’ in search of profits over quality.

 

Green & Blacks is on the same trajectory.