Return of the chuffin Puffin: Asda brings a family favourite back to the shelves

It was the bantamweight battle that ruffled more than a few feathers - and put one challenger out of action for decades.

But Asda ’s infamous Puffin has made a triumphant return, after going beak-to-beak with its branded friend in the High Court in 1997.

Puffin was accused of looking a little too ‘familiar’ and was told to change his outfit, though a judge ruled he could keep his name. This week, the Puffin is making its return to the biscuit aisle , and the timing couldn’t be better.

More than eight in ten Brits (84%) say they’re more open to trying own-brand versions of their favourite snacks than they were five years ago, while 88% say finding an own-brand equivalent that tastes just as good as the branded original feels like a proper big win.

And it’s not just about saving money. According to research from Asda, 85% genuinely enjoy discovering a great own-brand alternative, while three in ten (30%) say the most satisfying moment of all is discovering it actually tastes better than the branded original.

Nearly half (49%) have permanently switched from branded to own-brand biscuits, more than any other category, ahead of cheese (43%), bread (43%), tinned goods (42%), crisps (41%) and cereal (40%).

An Asda spokesperson said: “Customers are proud of finding a brilliant own-brand swap, especially when it saves them money and still tastes great. And with biscuits topping the table for the products Brits are permanently swapping, there couldn't be a better time to bring Puffin back, packed with personality and ready to take on the biscuit aisle.”

The Puffin biscuit lands in Asda stores nationwide from 17th August, priced at £1 for 8 bars.