McVitie’s has introduced a new product that reimagines the traditional Jaffa Cake as a biscuit. The new item, called Jaffa Cakes Digestives, replaces the usual sponge layer found in Jaffa Cakes with a biscuit base, marking the first time McVitie’s has offered the popular treat in this form. This launch is part of a collaboration with the UK supermarket chain Sainsbury’s.

The move comes after decades of debate over the classification of Jaffa Cakes. The dispute gained national attention in 1991 when McVitie’s successfully defended the product’s status as a cake in a court case against the Inland Revenue, which sought to impose value-added tax (VAT) on the item by classifying it as a biscuit instead. The ruling exempted Jaffa Cakes from VAT, as cakes are not subject to the tax, whereas biscuits generally are.

Despite the firm’s legal victory, the question of whether Jaffa Cakes are cakes or biscuits has persisted among consumers. McVitie’s acknowledged this ongoing discussion in a statement, noting their efforts to clarify the product’s identity. The company said it has “spent years and a considerable amount of time proving that Jaffa Cakes (clue’s in the name) are cakes,” but conceded that introducing a biscuit version could “set the record straight once and for all.”

The new Jaffa Cakes Digestives retain the familiar combination of chocolate and orange but offer a different texture through the biscuit base, diverging from the traditional soft sponge. This launch is positioned as a response to long-standing demand among consumers who consider Jaffa Cakes to be biscuits and may appeal to those who prefer the crunchier consistency of a digestive biscuit.

The partnership with Sainsbury’s marks the initial retail availability of the Jaffa Cakes Digestives, reflecting a broader trend of product innovation in the biscuit and cake market. McVitie’s has not indicated if the biscuit version will be widely distributed beyond this collaboration or if it will remain exclusive to specific outlets.

By expanding the product range, McVitie’s appears to be addressing both sides of a historic debate while offering consumers a new variation on a well-loved treat.