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

[EauRouge]

BTW the NHS site says that men should have 70g, there's no mention of a 100g daily allowance for anyone- here

[ChessieFL]

So, my feedback:

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

• I don't usually have breakfast at home during the week, so tend to snack all morning at work.
  

Your first impressions of the Breakfast Biscuits

• they looked nice with the wheat pattern, although I was expecting to see more red berries and a lot of the biscuits were broken.
  

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

• I ate some at home and also took a couple of boxes to work to keep there. They are OK for on the go but you would need a drink as well and they break quite easily.
  

How would you describe/ rate the taste?
-I liked them, but they are very sweet.
How do these compare to other breakfast biscuits you may have tried/ bought?

• I haven't tried any other breakfast biscuits
  

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

• Maybe - I would like to try the other flavours. Not sure they are the healthiest option though.

[THERhubarb]

Well that's me convinced then. I won't be buying these and will give the other boxes away as I don't want to be consuming that amount of sugar thank you very much.

I'll look for a healthier alternative.

[christmasmum]

My feedback...

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

Normally I eat at the kitchen table with the kids. Cereal, OJ, yoghurt. I work part-time so on work days it's a real rush!

Your first impressions of the Breakfast Biscuits

Bit bland to look at, quite dry.

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

I actually tend to use them as an after school snack in the car or as a quick supper.

How would you describe/ rate the taste?

I think they're quite sugary so I'm not that keen on them as a breakfast food. My son (3) likes them but my daughter (5) won't eat them - but then she's a fussy bugger to be honest.

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

I have tried the Belvita ones and these are quite similar.

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

I have so many I don't think I'll need to! Not sure I'd buy them again as I don't think they're healthy enough to replace breakfast and there are better options for after school and supper.


Any other comments?

[PPT]

Ah! I never thought of that THErhubarb! I am obviously so naive a consumer!

[AlexReidsLonelyBraincell]

Your overall views of breakfast - what you normally have, where you normally eat it - if it's normally a rush?
I believe that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, however mornings are hectic so I prefer something that can be prepared and eaten quickly, sometimes on the go.
I normally eat cereal - I stick to healthy options like shredded wheat and Weetabix but do like a bowl of Rice Krispies. I love porridge but cooking, waiting for it to cool and actually eating it can take too long.
I keep breakfast biscuits in my drawer at work for those days where I haven't had time. I work as a nurse so need a good start to the day.

Your first impressions of the Breakfast Biscuits
The packaging was similar to most other cereal/breakfast biscuits, the biscuits themselves looked appetising, I like the wheat shape in the actual biscuit. I has the red berries and they looked and smelled very appealing.

How well the Biscuits work as an "on the go breakfast solution" - where did you eat them?
I received loads so took some to work and shared them with colleagues, if anybody knows biscuits nurses do .
I ate them before my busy morning clinic with a cup of coffee. They are great for keeping in my drawer and handy to have at around for snacking. My husband ate his in the car on the way to work.
For on the go they are fine, I do think four biscuits was a lot for even my big appetite though.

How would you describe/ rate the taste?
I really liked the taste, I'm not usually a fan of things with berries in so was pleasantly surprised, one colleague commented that they tasted 'breakfasty' and 'healthy' others thought they were quite sweet for first thing in the morning. My children loved them.
You can taste the oats which is nice, I also liked that the fruit tasted of fruit and not artificial. They left a pleasant taste in the mouth afterwards too.

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?
I usually buy Belvita. The McVities biscuits were fairly similar I thought. The calorie content is pretty high and as somebody who watches what I eat I think to eat all four biscuits would be a lot, perhaps smaller packs of 2-3 biscuits would be better?
I agree with previous reviewers that the nutrition content regarding calories is misleading and makes the biscuits look 'healthier' than they actually are.
I would buy them again because I enjoyed them, I choose breakfast biscuits 1-2 times per week so they would be part of a balanced lifestyle for me. My children loved them and DC1 has had one in her lunchbox a few times now.

Thank you for the opportunity to try this product, I, my family and my colleagues have very much enjoyed them and people have asked me where to buy them so they were obviously impressed.

[AlexReidsLonelyBraincell]

Sorry about the above, multiple major bolding fails.

[HanneHolm]

WEll i have taken them into work for secondary school pupils who dont always get given breakfast.
They pronounce them lush. They are ideal for this kind of situation - I would never choose to eat them at home but for maybe even school trips where there is an early start or someone who works shifts.

my kids did NOT like them as I had the red berry flavour.

[diamanteasbigastheritz]

Your overall views of breakfast - what you normally have, where you normally eat it - if it's normally a rush? Usually eat something fast and easy during the week - cereal,toast, porridge in the microwave, fruit and yoghurt. I usually eat at work, as time's tight in the morning.

Your first impressions of the Breakfast Biscuits. I was a bit confused by the portion size. I didn't mind the appearance but I like a more rustic biscuit.

How well the Biscuits work as an "on the go breakfast solution" - where did you eat them? Way too dry for without a drink, which limits their on the go potential. I tended to have them mid morning/afternoon as a snack. Might try with yoghurt as others have suggested.

How would you describe/ rate the taste? Too sweet for me, but I like the texture of the oats.

How do these compare to other breakfast biscuits you may have tried/ bought? Not my favourite - I prefer a cereal bar

Would you buy these again? If so why? If not, why not? Probably not - prefer other types of breakfast bars/biscuits

[justshootmenow]

I don't normally eat breakfast just grab a coffee between getting the children and husband sorted.
First impressions, the box looks nice quite large but not too daunting. But upon opening not one biscuit was intact, my parcel seemed to have been kicked around the warehouse!
As an on the go solution they are too dry, but were nice as a mid-morning snack with as coffee.
The taste was good but dry and sweet, they were all broken and the whole family enjoyed them, the council workers said that they were pleasant enough for their tea
break.
I've only ever tried tracker bars and they are lovely and moist and don't disintegrate.
We may possibly buy them again if they were on offer. But they taste too sugary and dry.
Like the others I too would like a mixed flavour box and make them less dry please.

[AfternoonsandCoffeespoons]

Your overall views of breakfast - what you normally have, where you normally eat it - if it's normally a rush? I think breakfast is very important, and feel much better on days when I manage to eat, but find it really boring tbh!

Your first impressions of the Breakfast Biscuits They look lovely, although 4 in a pack seems a lot, assuming they are intended as part of a healthy breakfast.

How well the Biscuits work as an "on the go breakfast solution" - where did you eat them? They do work as an "on the go breakfast solution" and I have eaten them on the bus on the way to work, however they are preferable when eaten alongside a cup of tea at home!

How would you describe/ rate the taste? They are very sweet. I enjoyed the flavour, though, it just didn't need to be that sweet!

How do these compare to other breakfast biscuits you may have tried/ bought?
I have tried bellevita and they are nicer than these, although these are nicer than the all bran ones!

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

I would buy these again in ordre to try the other flavours, but probably only of they were on offer.

Any other comments?

[MrsKwazii]

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

I eat at my desk on workdays as I don't have time to eat at home. Tends to be fruit or a bacon butty from the canteen. I eat wholegrain cereal or toast when I'm at home and like to take a bit of time over it.

Your first impressions of the Breakfast Biscuits

There were rather a lot of them! I liked that they were wrapped in portion packs, although four biscuits seems quite a lot.

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

I ate some in the car, and some at my desk. Eating them in the car was a bit claggy as they're very dry. You definitely need a drink while you're eating them. At desk with some tea was better. Was able to get going with work and eat at the same time without looking too odd.

How would you describe/ rate the taste?

I had the red berry biscuits. I found them overly sweet and with a bit of an artificial taste. The crunch and texture was OK though, although dry if you don't have a drink with them.

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

These were the first I've tried/bought so I don't know.

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

Not the berry flavour, no, but I might try the honey ones. Handy to have in my desk drawer.

Any other comments?

They're quite high in fat, and a friend who had a few was shocked that they were two weightwatchers points each, as she would normally only spend three on breakfast.

[hypnotisingchickens]

Your overall views of breakfast - what you normally have, where you normally eat it - if it's normally a rush?
Breakfast tends to be eaten very quickly in the house and generally rappled out of the hands of a toddler, in the car, or at my desk. I take much more time over it at the weekend, but generally it's a meal eaten out of necessity, rather than something I can take my time over.
Your first impressions of the Breakfast Biscuits
I was quite impressed - although the packaging wasn't terribly inspiring. I was pleased with the number in the packet though. Although I am quite greedy....
How well the Biscuits work as an "on the go breakfast solution" - where did you eat them?
For me, they worked perfectly, as I tend to eat them at my desk. The fact that there is 4 in the packet means that I can graze on them throughout the morning too, rather than a cereal bar which I would eat in one sitting and then be moohing for biscuits an hour later.
How would you describe/ rate the taste?
Good, but I have quite a sweet tooth. I liked the oaty taste (made it a bit more breakfasty I guess!) Colleagues who also tried them liked them too - they didn't last long in the office.
How do these compare to other breakfast biscuits you may have tried/ bought?
I have never tried any other breakfast biscuits, but have probably tried every other cereal bar under the sun. They are certainly better than some of the other cereal bars on the market.
Would you buy these again? If so why? If not, why not?
Yes, if they were on offer. £2.29 seems a bit steep to be honest.
Any other comments?

[susiey]

Your overall views of breakfast - what you normally have, where you normally eat it - if it's normally a rush?
I usually eat alpen porridge pouches or shreddies with fruit. I mainly eat breakfast before leaving for work but sometimes have to eat on the go if its one of those mornings that's not going to plan

Your first impressions of the Breakfast Biscuits

They are in great packaging and were very tasty with a cup of tea

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

They were very tasty but quite dry so you would need to have a drink with you at the same time

How would you describe/ rate the taste?

Very tasty and fruity and oaty

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?

I have never bought breakfast biscuits before but these were good and good value. I also used them as a snack for the kids

[AnnMumsnet]

Hello - thanks for all the feedback so far...please do let us know any further thoughts.

We have shared the feedback with McVitie's and they have asked us to post the below on their behalf:

"Thank you for your feedback on McVitie's Breakfast Biscuits and we are glad that most of you are enjoying them.

We have carried out extensive consumer research to get the flavours right but we have noted that some of you find them a bit too sweet and some are asking for more fruit, we welcome feedback and will look into any improvements we can make. It is worth noting that some of the sugar is driven by the addition of fruit pieces, therefore adding more would increase the sugar content.

Some of you have also commented on the GDA numbers being different to those on the NHS website and the fact that we quote calories per biscuit and not per pack. All food manufacturers base their GDA calculations on the industry recognised figures provided originally by the IGD. There are very clear rules which McVitie's have adhered showing nutrition information per 100g, per individual biscuit and per portion across the range, this way consumers are able to compare one product to another.

The GDA's also refer to total sugars (90g/day for an adult) however the NHS website refer to added sugar (50g/day) which may help explain the difference"

[robdan]

Brilliant found them sooo useful for my family n dd loved them
I found them abit stale tasting
But lovely biscuits thp

[THERhubarb]

So are McVities saying that they don't add any sugar to their biscuits? And that the only sugar there is naturally occuring fruit sugar?

I doubt it. They can cut right back on added sugar. I don't really think there is enough fruit there to explain the huge amount of sugar in one biscuit. Just take away the added sugar, add more natural fruit pieces (not ones coated in sugar) and you will have a tasty, healthy breakfast biscuit that doesn't fall apart as easily.

And yes McVitie's have adhered to the rules but you have to read the smaller printed blurb on the back to get the full picture. The easy guide on the front, the one that catches the consumer's eye shows the content per biscuit and yes this is stated in much smaller letters at the top.

It's all about psychology of shopping isn't it? You use the colour green (to indicate safe) on the nutritional info on the front of the box. You give clear, bold amounts that are easy to read and because the eye naturally follows those guidelines downwards, you put the little *per biscuit at the top where they won't see it.

Big companies spend a fortune on this kind of marketing and even pay experts to advise them on, essentially, how to con consumers whilst staying within legal guidelines.

That money would be better spent on making a healthy, tasty breakfast biscuit that would be endorsed by Mumsnetters, recommended by health professionals and given great reviews. You spend so much money on design, marketing and psychology when actually, just making a better biscuit would be an easier and cheaper option

[Bladderama]

Firstly thank you for the entire box of breakfast biscuits.

I do not normally eat breakfast as I do not have time before leaving for work at 7am and am very bad at just grabbling a coffee. If I remember to take anything to work to eat it would be some natural yoghurt and fruit.

The biscuits were well packed and looked like a good size of portion that would be easy to stick in my handbag.

I did take some into a meeting to eat with my morning coffee but really struggled to eat them. They were very dry and creamy so needed a lot of liquid to drink whilst eating them.

The taste was nice I quite liked them but found the texture/dryness very hard going so even one biscuit took me ages to eat - not great at work.

The children have loved them and they have proved very useful this week when we have had a few early morning starts. Again a huge glass of milk was required along side them for the children.

I will buy these again especially when travelling with the children because they are so easy to pack and take along and for the children to eat without making a huge amount of mess.

I have not tried other breakfast biscuits so cant comment but we only have 3 boxes left which I think shows how much the children have enjoyed them.

[MumToTiny]

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

• I don't eat breakfast very often, but if I do it's normally toast or cereal. Usually at h
  

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?

[Bladderama]

Also meant to add that I was impressed that the packet of biscuits did not disintegrate in my handbag and were still intact when I wanted to eat them, nice and robust for eating on the run.

[MumToTiny]

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

• I don't usually eat breakfast, but occasionally have toast or cereal if I have time, or occasionally belvita breakfast biscuits (usually in the car!). When on holiday though, I really enjoy a relaxed breakfast.
  

Your first impressions of the Breakfast Biscuits

• fairly uninspiring packaging, very beige biscuits, and all mine were broken.
  

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

• they're rather dry so not that easy to eat on the go as you need a drink with them. Toddler DS seems to quite like them though, and they're portable for him.
  

How would you describe/ rate the taste?

• not as fruity as I expected, very sweet, forgettable!
  

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

• I prefer the belvita filled ones, especially the ones with strawberry jam.
  

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

• as I received a case of the red berries ones, I've got enough to last for quite a while... Then I'll probably go for belvita instead.
  

Thanks for the opportunity to try them though!

[HanneHolm]

Your overall views of breakfast - what you normally have, where you normally eat it - if it's normally a rush?
Airways eat it. Never a rush. I lovebreakfast. Wouldn't be able to work without it.

Your first impressions of the Breakfast Biscuits
They looked like standard biscuits. Liked the individual packaging.
How well the Biscuits work as an "on the go breakfast solution" - where did you eat them?
I can't imagine planning to be on the go. I'd just get up earlier to eat breakfast. I ate at home.
How would you describe/ rate the taste?
Not keen on the fruit ones. Liked the oat texture.
How do these compare to other breakfast biscuits you may have tried/ bought?
I've never bought any.
Would you buy these again? If so why? If not, why not?
No. I don't like the idea much. I might do if a kid were on a school trip maybe and let early. Tbh I'd just have a banana.

Other comments. I think it's a breakfast development I can live without.

[HanneHolm]

I'm stunned at you lot skipping breakfast. Get up earlier

[MrsHelsBels74]

Your overall views of breakfast - what you normally have, where you normally eat it - if it's normally a rush?
Normally try to eat it before the kids wake up, either have toast or cereal. If the kids are up it's normally shared with DS1 & in 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?
You can eat them anywhere, very good for DS1 when he refuses breakfast, he can have them in the car. DH has also had them in the car. I've eaten them as a passenger in a car, but not as a driver.

How would you describe/ rate the taste?
Overall pleasant, but quite sweet. Bit of a strange, almost 'fizzy' aftertaste that I can't quite put my finger on.

How do these compare to other breakfast biscuits you may have tried/ bought?
Haven't tried any others, but was pleasantly surprised, was expecting cardboard to be honest.

Would you buy these again? If so why? If not, why not?
I would be interested to try the Oats & Honey flavour. I wouldn't immediately chose it for breakfast but a useful standby.

Any other comments?