Penguin (biscuit)

Penguin biscuits are milk chocolate-covered biscuit bars filled with chocolate cream. They are produced by United Biscuits manufacturing division, McVitie's. The Tim Tam produced by Arnott's in Australia was based on the Penguin, [cite web|url=http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/04/17/1050172707606.html|title= Branding rivals will never take the biscuit, says Mr Tim Tam| author=Kirsty Needham|date=2003-04-18|accessdate=10 October|accessyear=2006] and much debate has ensued over which is the superior biscuit. [cite web|url=http://www.nicecupofteaandasitdown.com/biscuits/previous.php3?item=48|title=Tim Tam vs Penguin|date=2003-01-12|accessdate=11 October|accessyear=2006] [cite web|url=http://sport.guardian.co.uk/ashes2005/story/0,,1557204,00.html|title=Cricket -The Ashes 2005 - Fourth Test, second day - Over-by-over: afternoon session|publisher=Guardian Unlimited|author=Mike Adamson|date=2005-08-26|accessdate=11 October|accessyear=2006]

They were first produced in 1932 by William McDonald, a biscuit manufacturer in Glasgow, and became a McVitie’s brand when McDonald joined with McVitie’s and Price, MacFarlane Lang & Co and Crawford to form United Biscuits in 1946.

Each wrapper has a joke or "funny fact" printed on it and imaginative, often humorous designs featuring penguins that often pastiche famous works of art.

Penguins have been the subject of a court case between Asda and United Biscuits who accused Asda of passing off their own brand "Puffin" biscuits as part of the Penguin brand. The court found in favour of United Biscuits regarding passing off, but found that Asda had not infringed the Penguin trademark. [cite web|url=http://www.iprights.com/publications/articles/article.asp?articleID=60|title=The problem with look-a-likes: Penguin v. Puffin|publisher=Rouse & Co. International| author=Karen Fong|date=1997-05-01|accessdate=05 October|accessyear=2006] United Biscuits itself has been criticised for continuing to use trans fatty acids in the cream filling of Penguins. [cite web|url=http://www.tfx.org.uk/page35.html|title=United biscuits|publisher=tfX::the campaign against trans fats in food|accessdate=05 October|accessyear=2006] By 2007 United Biscuits began to advertise the absence of trans fats from the penguin, having removed the ingredient from this product line. [cite web|url=http://www.unitedbiscuits.com/80256C1A0047922E/vWeb/pcTSTT5EPGG9|title=United Biscuits website|access date=14 February|accessyear=2008]

Penguin's famous slogan of "P-p-p-pick up a Penguin!" with its recognisable signature stuttering effect has often been imitated in the media.

pin-off brands

In 2003, McVitie's produced several "sub-brands" or variations of the Penguin biscuit, Penguin Chukkas, Wing Dings, Flipper Dipper, Splatz and Mini Splatz. These variations were accompanied by a £5 million promotional campaign. In 2008 McVitie's also produced Penguin triple chocolate wafers. [ [http://www.foodanddrinkeurope.com/news/ng.asp?id=17600-mcvities-chukks-m McVities 'chukks' £5m behind Penguin brand] , Food & Drink Europe, 3 June 2003. Retrieved 6 October 2006.]

Notes

External links

* [http://observer.guardian.co.uk/foodmonthly/story/0,,1823501,00.html Picnics past] - Observer story claiming the Penguin is the "towering treat of the Seventies"
* [http://www.unitedbiscuits.com/80256C1A0047922E/vWeb/pcTSTT5EPGG9 United Biscuits product page]
* [http://www.candywrappermuseum.com/mcvities.html Penguin wrapper at the Candy Wrapper Museum]

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