Ingredients, colour-coded
What needs attention
- DoubtfulFlavourings
The word "flavouring" does not say what a flavour is made from or dissolved in. Most are plant-based or synthetic, but some are carried in alcohol or glycerol of unstated source, and a few contain animal ingredients. Doubtful unless the pack says plant-based or alcohol-free, or shows a halal logo.
- DoubtfulWhey
Whey comes from cheese making, so the rennet question applies: pig rennet is prohibited, rennet from a correctly slaughtered animal is permitted, and rennet from an animal that was not slaughtered is disputed. The pack rarely says which rennet was used. Doubtful unless it came from cheese made with microbial rennet, or the product has a halal logo.
- DoubtfulE476 · Polyglycerol polyricinoleate (PGPR)
The castor oil part is plant-based; the glycerol part can be animal-derived. Common in chocolate.
Full ingredient list
Milk Chocolate Flavour Coating (29%) [Sugar, Vegetable Oils (Palm, Shea), Cocoa Mass, Dried Skimmed Milk, Dried Whey (Milk), Butter Oil (Milk), Emulsifiers (Soya Lecithin, E476), Natural Flavouring], Flour (Wheat Flour, Calcium, Iron, Niacin, Thiamin), Sugar, Palm Oil, Glucose-Fructose Syrup, Fat Reduced Cocoa Powder, Raising Agents (Sodium Bicarbonate, Ammonium Bicarbonate), Natural Flavouring, Salt.
What to check on this pack
The first ingredient listed is milk chocolate flavour coating [sugar and the list has 16 named ingredients. The product data carries these labels: vegetarian. 3 of the named ingredients need a closer look:
- flavourings (doubtful): The word "flavouring" does not say what a flavour is made from or dissolved in. Most are plant-based or synthetic, but some are carried in alcohol or glycerol of unstated source, and a few contain animal ingredients. Doubtful unless the pack says plant-based or alcohol-free, or shows a halal logo. To confirm for this product, ask the maker for the source of the flavourings.
- whey (doubtful): Whey comes from cheese making, so the rennet question applies: pig rennet is prohibited, rennet from a correctly slaughtered animal is permitted, and rennet from an animal that was not slaughtered is disputed. The pack rarely says which rennet was used. Doubtful unless it came from cheese made with microbial rennet, or the product has a halal logo. To confirm for this product, ask the maker for the source of the whey.
- E476 (Polyglycerol polyricinoleate (PGPR)) (doubtful): The castor oil part is plant-based; the glycerol part can be animal-derived. Common in chocolate. To confirm for this product, ask the maker for the source of the e476 (polyglycerol polyricinoleate (pgpr)).
McVitie's Penguin Biscuit Bar: pack details
| Pack size | 24.6 g |
|---|---|
| Sold at | Sainsbury's, Tesco |
| Sold in | France, United Kingdom |
| Contains (allergens) | gluten, milk, soybeans |
| Additives | E322, E476, E500, E503 |
| Nutri-Score | E |
| NOVA group | 4 (an ultra-processed food) |
From the Open Food Facts record for this barcode. NOVA is a food-processing scale from 1 to 4 based on the ingredient list, and Nutri-Score runs from A (better) to E. Neither says anything about halal status.
Is McVitie's Penguin Biscuit Bar vegetarian or vegan?
McVitie's Penguin Biscuit Bar is labelled vegetarian, but contains milk or egg, so it is not vegan.
More on this type of food: Sweets & gummies: what to check · all McVitie's products checked
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Frequently asked questions
Does McVitie's Penguin Biscuit Bar contain pork?
No pork is listed in the ingredients. Recipes change, so check the pack you buy.
Does McVitie's Penguin Biscuit Bar contain gelatine?
No gelatine is listed. Recipes change, so check the pack you buy.
Does McVitie's Penguin Biscuit Bar contain alcohol?
No alcohol is listed. Flavourings can occasionally be carried in alcohol, which most scholars accept.
Is McVitie's Penguin Biscuit Bar halal-certified?
We found no halal label for McVitie's Penguin Biscuit Bar. See the ingredient check above for what needs attention.
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See or correct this product on Open Food Facts
Ingredient data from Open Food Facts (ODbL), retrieved 2026-10-15. Product photos by Open Food Facts contributors, licensed CC BY-SA 3.0. Recipes change — always check the pack. This is an ingredient check, not a halal certification.