NOW CLOSED McVitie's Breakfast Biscuits feedback thread

[AlexMumsnet]

This thread is for the MNers who are trying out the new Breakfast Biscuits from McVitie's (RRP £2.29 for a 6 pack carton).

So testers please let us know....

Your overall views of breakfast - what you normally have, where you normally eat it - if it's normally a rush?
Your first impressions of the Breakfast Biscuits
How well the Biscuits work as an "on the go breakfast solution" - where did you eat them?
How would you describe/ rate the taste?
How do these compare to other breakfast biscuits you may have tried/ bought?
Would you buy these again? If so why? If not, why not?
Any other comments?

Everyone who is selected as a tester and adds feedback as required will be entered into a prize draw where one winner will get a £250 voucher.

Thanks
MNHQ

Your overall views of breakfast - what you normally have, where you normally eat it - if it's normally a rush?
Just a bowl of granola. You can't rush breakfast.

Your first impressions of the Breakfast Biscuits.
Thought they look like they are going to be hard but I was wrong.
How well the Biscuits work as an "on the go breakfast solution" - where did you eat them?
I ate them with my tea:) good when I have to breastfeed my baby and I'm hungry. Hubby loves them as he can have them as he gets to work.
How would you describe/ rate the taste?
A bit too sweet but lovely.
How do these compare to other breakfast biscuits you may have tried/ bought?
Never had any others before.
Would you buy these again? If so why? If not, why not?
Yes I would. They are good for on the go.
Any other comments?
The pack could be for less than 4 biscuits. It's quite a lot.

Your overall views of breakfast - what you normally have, where you normally eat it - if it's normally a rush?

I normally have a bowl of cereal, at home or a banana/muesli or cereal bar in the car or at my desk if I'm in a rush (which is pretty often)

Your first impressions of the Breakfast Biscuits

They looked nice, I thought they were going to be really nice.

How well the Biscuits work as an "on the go breakfast solution" - where did you eat them?

They work well on the go, but are very dry and one biscuit makes me very thirsty indeed. I now have mine dipped into a gkass of milk or pot of yoghurt which is really nice!

How would you describe/ rate the taste?

I like them, but the sugar content is rather high compared to a bowl of cereal.....

How do these compare to other breakfast biscuits you may have tried/ bought?

I used to buy the belvita ones and I'm afraid I prefer them. They are grainier and less thirst inducing. Yours are great if I can get a drink or have with yoghurt, but not as an on the go option.

Would you buy these again? If so why? If not, why not?

Probably not....for the reason stated above.

Any other comments?
I only received the red berries boxes which was a shame as I actually preferred the sound of the other flavours!

I've shared the boxes with my mum who is a Belvita-fan, so will include her feedback here.

Your overall views of breakfast - what you normally have, where you normally eat it - if it's normally a rush?

My breakfast is a leisurely, if slightly late affair, after the kids have gone to school.

The dc usually have a relaxed breakfast but over-sleeping necessitates the occassional car-breakfast-picnic.

My mum has two jobs and squeezes breakfast in during the journey between them.

Your first impressions of the Breakfast Biscuits
They were a bit broken, which made the difficult to eat. But they looked appealing. DC were keen to try.

How well the Biscuits work as an "on the go breakfast solution" - where did you eat them?
In the car and on one occassion in the school playground.

How would you describe/ rate the taste?
Surprised dc weren't put off by the red bits as they are usually fussy, but I told them they were bits of jam and they were happy to eat them. I liked the red bits - added a bit of interest to the flavour.

Tasty, enjoyable to eat.

How do these compare to other breakfast biscuits you may have tried/ bought?
My Mum is a Belvita-fan but she preferred these biscuits.

Would you buy these again? If so why? If not, why not?
Yes, very handy to have in the cupboard for emergency snack / breakfast (this has just made me think of The Apprentice 'emergency biscuit' episode - perhaps the inspiration behing the product.

Any other comments?
So far ever packet has had at least one biscuit broken - usually more. This does make it a bit tricky to eat them, especially if you haven't noticed the break and half drops on the floor as you lift it out the packet / bite into it.

This doesn't sound too promising for the poor old mcvities marketing department! I bet they wish they'd never asked! I'm not going to be buying these little fellows anytime soon.

Your overall views of breakfast - what you normally have, where you normally eat it - if it's normally a rush?
Weekdays we have cereal available at the table and the children help themselves,requests are granted ( toast or different options) but there is no time to waste having four children to feed before the school run!
Your first impressions of the Breakfast Biscuits

They break easily! Not sure if my box was thrown about but not one of the biscuits were intact! Annoying when trying to get them out in bits! Looked a bit unappealing in colour too.

How well the Biscuits work as an "on the go breakfast solution" - where did you eat them?

I wouldn't give these as an alternative breakfast choice, maybe an additional with yoghurt. These were eaten as snacks mainly throughout the day, all the children initially liked them but as we only received one flavour ( berry) became bored of them. Handy for taking out and about.

How would you describe/ rate the taste?

Not my favourite taste, struggled to get through a whole pack of four to be honest.
How do these compare to other breakfast biscuits you may have tried/ bought?

Prefer brevita which are thicker and nicer oatier texture and creamier flavour.

Would you buy these again? If so why? If not, why not?
Maybe if they were on offer, which is the only time I buy breakfast biscuits. But would not be my first choice.

Any other comments?

Everyone who is selected as a tester and adds feedback as required will be entered into a prize draw where one winner will get a £250 voucher.

I need to give mine a second chance tomorrow and come back and fill in these questions!

Further to my previous answer, I just wanted to add that I gave an ex-colleague a few packs of the biscuits to sample as she was the one who introduced me to breakfast biscuits in the first place as that's her preferred breakfast of choice. She's just sent me an email that says quite simply: "they are rank."

Sorry McVitie's

I was thinking that they need to taste all toasted and golden, a bit like a digestive. Maybe you should be trying to emulate a softer, chewier, more breakfast-y digestive. I know I'd definitely buy that!

Can I just note how many of us have given these to kids as a snack?

I would like to know who McVitie's are marketing these biscuits to? If they are marketing them to adults then the fact that we are all feeding them to our kids would surely point to a bit of a failure. Adults will not be searching the breakfast aisle looking for snacks to give to the kids.

Almost everybody who has given feedback has said that they are too sweet. That's why our kids like them so much.

I hope McVitie's do take our reviews on board. They really need to cut down on the amount of sugar they put into these biscuits and address the problem of them being too dry.

More fruit would, I think, solve the dryness issue and also if you add more fruit you don't have to add as much sugar.

Most people want a filling yet healthy breakfast, not a sugary snack and at the moment these breakfast biscuits are being used as sugary snacks.

The friend who I have a couple of cartons to was round today and she agreed about the sweetness and also admitted to saving them for the kids.

I only got red berries which is a shame as I would have loved to have tried the others but it does sound as those these are the main issues with the biscuits.

If McVitie's needs an official reviewer by the way, I'm free.

Your overall views of breakfast - what you normally have, where you normally eat it - if it's normally a rush?
Non work days I usually have a bowl of cereal, such as muesli or weetabix, or toast at home. When at work I often have a cup of tea at home, buy a coffee and have something like a pastry or cereal / breakfast bar with it when I get to work.
Your first impressions of the Breakfast Biscuits
The biscuits look very much like the other brands, the packaging is a bit more attractive though.
How well the Biscuits work as an "on the go breakfast solution" - where did you eat them?
I have eaten them at home as a mid morning snack and also taken them to work. Only problem taking them out and about is you have to protect them or they smash into pieces - however this is the same with all biscuits. DD and DH have also tried them as a snack.
How would you describe/ rate the taste?
I really like the fruit pieces in the red berries - but it would have been nice t have more of them in the biscuits. I felt they were a bit too sweet but were nice and light in texture.
How do these compare to other breakfast biscuits you may have tried/ bought?
I much prefer these to Belvita - especially their red berry flavour I really did not like theirs. The mcvities ones are lighter and more filling. The other day at work I didn't manage the 4 biscuits. I found them very filling - they staved off hunger until lunch.
Would you buy these again? If so why? If not, why not?
Yes I would buy them again - I would try the other flavours.

Your overall views of breakfast - what you normally have, where you normally eat it - if it's normally a rush?
Normally, I have half a cup of coffee sipped between doing the million and one things that need doing before DP and I rush out the door to catch our train. I can't remember the last time I had time to sit down and eat something solid, despite my weight watcher leader's most compelling arguments!

Your first impressions of the Breakfast Biscuits
I thought they looked nice - each biscuit is a decent size, it didn't look like it would be gone in a bite or two. I liked the pictures on them too. I'll admit that years ago (aged about 10), when my breakfast habits were slightly better (a whole cup of coffee and two biscuits of the normal variety!) I used to eat the biscuits with the cows on them, even though I didn't like them very much, because I liked the cow Back to the McVities biscuits, I liked being able to see the chunks of red berries in them too.

How well the Biscuits work as an "on the go breakfast solution" - where did you eat them?
They are perfect for me. Now I have a biscuit to nibble as I'm getting stuff done, and put the rest in my bag for work. Sometimes one will get eaten on the train on the way in, and the rest carry me through the morning until lunchtime. I don't find them too dry at all, but they are a little pasty (pastey?) and I spend quite some time getting all the bits from around my teeth. Maybe it's that that makes me feel like I've had a pretty decent meal! If I dunk them in a drink they are gone far too quickly and don't leave me feeling as full as if I eat them dry.

How would you describe/ rate the taste?
I really like the taste. I don't find them too sweet, which I was a bit concerned about as I don't tend to like overly sweet things. It's nice when you get a good chunk of berry to chew on, too.

How do these compare to other breakfast biscuits you may have tried/ bought?
I've not tried/bought any others, and to be honest without this trial I would probably never have tried these as I would have just thought they were like ordinary biscuits.

Would you buy these again? If so why? If not, why not?
I possibly would, though the price is a bit steep. Weighed up against the price of other breakfast options, it's not particularly favourable. It's mostly the convenience of them that might entice me to buy more. I think I may be more inclined to consider buying them if it was say £1.95 for 5 packs rather than £2.29 for 6. It's that whole 'breaking the £2' barrier. I might buy them just to try the other flavours though.

Any other comments?
A pack of 4 biscuits equates to 6 weight watchers propoints, which is a bit more than a 30g bowl of cereal with a quarter pint of skimmed milk. However, it's meant I've been getting through the whole morning without nibbling on anything else, and I've been happy with soup or salad for lunches so it's balanced out quite nicely.

Your overall views of breakfast - what you normally have, where you normally eat it - if it's normally a rush?

I am usually fairly rushed. I like a hot chocolate and toast for breakfast, during the week I get up, showered and dressed hopefully before the dcs wake up then give them breakfast and get them dressed and hope I have enough time to gobble some toast and feed the baby before we go to school.

I do think breakfast is an important meal, a good breakfast for me means less stuffing myself with chocolate mid morning. To be honest though amount of sleep had that night also has a big impact on snacking so it isn't all breakfast related!

Your first impressions of the Breakfast Biscuits

The box looks good, looks "breakfasty" so well done to your marketing types. The emphasis on oats make you think of healthy things and the sneaky way you've put the nutritional stuff on the front as per biscuit rather than per serving tricks you into thinking the sugar content is far lower than it actually is.

When you open the box and get a pack out you think "insipid colour, where is the fruit? Are they all broken?" which is not exactly as good as the impressionthe box gives!

How well the Biscuits work as an "on the go breakfast solution" - where did you eat them?

Not workable as an on the go solution IMO as they are far too dry, I need a drink after every mouthful, and with them all being broken you jsut end up with crumbs everywhere.

How would you describe/ rate the taste?

Far too sweet, synthetic and dry. Ds1 seems to like them though.

How do these compare to other breakfast biscuits you may have tried/ bought?

I remember having some as a child in France, I think they were made by LU. Not sure if they ever came out in the UK. They were nice they had chocolate in which may have helped.

Would you buy these again? If so why? If not, why not?

No. Because I don't like them, because the sugar content is way too high for them to be a suitable breakfast thing and as a snack they are horrible and also too sugary.

Any other comments?

Sugar content is way too high.
Is this a snack or a breakfast? It doesn't seem to be particularly suitable as a breakfast to me yet doesn't sit well as a snack either.

Thanks for letting me take part in the test. With so many boxes I have had half the office testing them too!

Your overall views of breakfast - what you normally have, where you normally eat it - if it's normally a rush?

Normally cereal/milk and cup of tea (shreddies, fruit n fibre, shredded wheat). We have it around the table together at home. Weekends we often have toast or an egg. If in a rush (usually cause of early morning travelling), then I will have a cereal bar and flask of tea in the car.

Your first impressions of the Breakfast Biscuits

Lots in a pack (maybe 3 would be fine) as otherwise a little daunting. Shape looks like weetabix (and packaging). So much a few of us keep calling them weetabix (not so good for your brand but defo look like breakfast items!). Look wheaty/oaty and so tasty, berry bits smaller than anticipated.

How well the Biscuits work as an "on the go breakfast solution" - where did you eat them?

OK, so we admit that we have only had them as mid morning snacks so far, eaten in the office. If it was breakfast on the go it would be in the car though. As a snack, they are really filling and keep you going for ages - but perhaps a bit too much and so 3 in a pack may be enough - or packed in twos?

How would you describe/ rate the taste?

Dry - you need to have a drink with them which is fine for elevenses but not if this is a breakfast item in the car without a drink. They also have a bit of an overiding milky taste rather than the berry tang and oaty taste we were expecting. They are very moreish though. More/bigger berries would be nice.

How do these compare to other breakfast biscuits you may have tried/ bought? Versus Belvita they stack up well and are a good alternative (perhaps less sugary tasting too which is good.

Would you buy these again? If so why? If not, why not?

Yes but the price is a bit steep so perhaps only when on promotion.

Any other comments?

I used to love items like these when I was pregnant as a snack to keep in the handbag for when energy ran low. I think a lot of people also use cereal bars and products like this in the same way - as an emergency snack. Maybe a marketing angle to look into???

Thanks again for the snacks. You have made some hungry office workers very happy.

normally have, where you normally eat it - if it's normally a rush?

It varies, sometimes porridge at home, sometime at work, maybe a bagel or muffin at work. Nothing very consistent.

Your first impressions of the Breakfast Biscuits

Looked ok, similar to belvita. Fairly pain and banal looking.
How well the Biscuits work as an "on the go breakfast solution" - where did you eat them?

Pretty good. Ate them at work. Because we received so many, ended up eating them as normal biscuits!

How would you describe/ rate the taste?

I would give them a 5/10. They tasted quite pleasant and nice with a cup of tea.

How do these compare to other breakfast biscuits you may have tried/ bought?

Very similar to Belvita...asume mcvites have just jumped on the bandwagon.

Would you buy these again? If so why? If not, why not?

No, don't think I would. Too high in sugar and I don't think they are a good meal to start the day. They are essentially biscuits. Also after having received so many, think I would be ill if I saw them again.

Any other comments?

Less sugar would be good.

I've found the other flavours on offer at ASDA for £1.

I don't reckon much to the oats and honey but the apple, cinnamon and raisen one tastes lovely but the main problems are still there, too sweet, to weak for dunking and leaving that cement feeling around my teeth which I'm still picking out 5 minutes later.

For the snack one I will definitely buy the apple one again.

I havent tried the biscuits but I have just seen the TV add for them and it screamed 'wifework' at me.

Much to the amusement of my teenage sons I ended up saying 'no she doesnt want a F*ing biscuit for breakfast - she just wants five minutes of peace to eat her museli and have a cup of tea.

McVities marketing bods - suggest you look up wifework before you follow the likes of asda and morrisons down that route. Its not aspirational - its a tradegy.

Are these McVities breakfast biscuits Low GI like the Belvita one's?

I was not on the panel but am butting in because my 18 mo LOVES these biscuits and they have become an essential part of our on the go snack boxes - wish they were wrapped in smaller portions though. Ok butting out now as you were

Your overall views of breakfast - what you normally have, where you normally eat it - if it's normally a rush?

We always eat breakfast at home. It is either cereal, toast and jam, or raisin bread, toasted.

Your first impressions of the Breakfast Biscuits
Nice packaging- although I think the box is slightly too large! Maybe a cheaper price with less biscuits? Good colours.

How well the Biscuits work as an "on the go breakfast solution" - where did you eat them?

My husband trialled them 'on the go' to work. He found them filling. However, they were so dry that he had to brush his teeth when he got to work!

How would you describe/ rate the taste?
My family liked them, however, I also shared a box with a couple of friends. One of them thought they were too cardboardy. I only got the red fruity one, and thought that the taste was nice. They were good for tea dunking.

How do these compare to other breakfast biscuits you may have tried/ bought?
I too prefer Belvita, as the taste of those were better.

Would you buy these again? If so why? If not, why not?
Probably. They felt healthy- as they had the wholegrain symbol imprinted on the biscuit!

Any other comments?
It would be good if you sold a mixed box, with all the different flavours in the box. Also would be good if the calorie information on the box showed the calories per packet. As they are packaged as 4 biscuits, presumably this is what people would eat in one go, as opposed to just an individual biscuit. This would be less misleading.

I have bought some and will be trying them on Tuesday as I am working and hopefully can have breakfast on the go

PPT I get the impression that they know the sugar content is high which is why they've given you the nutritional information per biscuit. When you are shopping to tend to glance at the figures and think "3% sugar? That's not too bad" without reading the smaller print which states that this is per biscuit and not per packet.

If they gave that information per packet, it would be 12% sugar and that would be enough to grab your attention and make you think twice before popping one into your basket.

It's a rather sneaky attempt to mislead imo. I hope McVitie's take our comments on board. So far they've been very quiet on this thread i.e. non-existent.

Oh they have def been sneaky rhubarb! I think I congratulated their marketing in my feedback. Make the box look like a pack of wheetabix and give values by biscuit to avoid any red traffic lights. Well done!

Love it Indith!

I've been having a think and a google about sugar guidelines. The packaging says that 3g of sugar (per biscuit) is 3% of your RDA. Where does this figure come from? I looked on the NHS website and it says 50g for women so it would be 6% of your daily sugar per biscuit, or 24% if you ate all four biscuits in a pack- surely they can't mean for you to eat 4 of those tooth-rottingly sweet biscuits for breakfast?

Also, there is nothing really healthy in there- why not add more fruit and some nuts for protein? There are so many cereal bars that have more fruit and nuts in them, why would someone buy these biscuits instead?

They are nice dunked in a cuppa though.

McVities are you going to answer that one?

Normally we have toast or cereal, my children liked having biscuits instead byt still wanted normal breakfast too.

First impression was it looked like a big box of biscuits.

They were eaten more as a snack than abreakfast alternative

They taste nice but very dry and sweet.

Havent tasted a breakfast biscuit before

I dont know if I would buy them again. I like biscuits with more fruit in them.