Weetabix Cereal | MrBreakfast.com

Weetabix

From: Weetabix
Introduced in 1932

This pressed wheat biscuit cereal originated in Australia in the 1920's. The cereal was invented either by a man named Bennison Osborne or a Melbourne baker named Edward Halsey.

Halsey's version of the biscuit was sold under the name Granose by the Sanitarium Health Food Company, a company founded by Halsey in 1898.

In 1926, a competing product began to appear in Aussie markets... a cereal called Weet-Bix from the Grain Products Company. Whether this biscuit was developed before or after Halsey's Granose is a point of debate. It's believed that the only significant difference between the cereals was that Weet-Bix contained malt and sugar for more flavor.

As for Bennison Osborne's contribution to the multi-named cereal, it is unclear. We found him listed as the inventor of Weet-Bix in multiple sources, but that's as far as it goes. There's no solid information connecting Osborne to the Grain Products Company, the first significant manufacturer of a cereal called Weet-Bix.

Further obscuring the validity of the one-true inventor of Weet-Bix is the fact that Edward Halsey and his Sanitarium Health Food Company bought Grain Products and the Weet-Bix brand in 1928, two year's after it first appeared. Under Sanitarium's ownership Granose biscuits disappeared and Weet-Bix lived on.

Weetabix first appeared in the U.K. in 1932 with the formation of Weetabix Limited. According to Weetabix Limited, the company was "founded by two South Africans who introduced the Weetabix breakfast products to the UK."

Here's where things get wild. Remember Bennison Osborne, the man who gets a lot of credit for inventing Weet-Bix with very little supporting information?

We found one source - an obscure albeit well-written blog called "Antilag - Random rubbish from the motor sport world" - that connects Osborne to the U.K.'s Weetabix. According to Antilag, Osborne and a partner from New Zealand, formed the British & African Cereal Company Pty. Ltd. which was responsible for bringing the cereal, now called Weetabix, to England.

Weetabix Limited's website tells us that in 1932, Weetabix was "founded by two South Africans." Is it possible that one of these two South Africans was actually an Australian named Bennison Osborne?

In 1981, Weetabix Limited purchased the Van Brode Milling Company to enter the U.S. private label business and extend branded sales into the United States. In 1986, they acquired the California company Barbara's Bakery. Today, Weetabix Cereals are produced in the U.S. by Weetabix's Barbara's Bakery division. The original version of Weetabix is found in the U.S. under the name Organic Weetabix Whole Grain Biscuit.

Click here to see all cereals from Weetabix.

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Weetabix E.T. Box

Submitter: jeffrey
Uploaded: 11/12/2010
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Comments About This Cereal

What do you think of Weetabix?

Overall Average Rating = 3 (out of 5)

View all 15 comments for this cereal.

By CerealCrusher (Team Breakfast Member)

Cereal Rating (out of 5):

I am disappointed with the diffusion of flavor (thin "layer'o'flavor" perhaps?) When I first enjoyed them over 5 years back, a lot of good grain flavor was backed with a rich malt body. A change or two, along the way. A change in formula, perhaps...?

Comment submitted: 11/11/2016 (#21037)

By loyaltubist (Team Breakfast Member)

Cereal Rating (out of 5):

If you look hard (on the Internet) you can find the British version of Weetabix which is organic. Frankly, to me there isn't much difference. But then I can't see much difference between this and Wheaties (which in turn isn't all that different than Total without all the extra vitamins "sprayed" on it). I like them all. I get what I can get when I can get it. (This from a man who was craving Wheaties in Vietnam and found Weetabix to be a satisfying substitute.)

Comment submitted: 3/26/2015 (#18801)

By drury

Cereal Rating (out of 5):

The dollar store in our town sells a small box for a buck. I always have a box on hand. Delicious cereal.

Comment submitted: 11/15/2013 (#15326)

By Nostalgic Hero

I actually live very close to a Weetabix factory and sometimes I can smell the cereal when I walk out my front door. It's so good when they make Cocoa Crispies or whatever chocolate cereal they make.

Comment submitted: 2/15/2013 (#10835)

By No Mo

Cereal Rating (out of 5):

Both my husband and I were very disappointed with the texture. We didn't eat it. Our dog didn't want it either. We used to enjoy it.

Comment submitted: 10/30/2012 (#9785)

By Teritune

Cereal Rating (out of 5):

I'm on a special diet where carbs are limited and Weetabix meets my needs. I alternate it with Shredded Wheat or hot oatmeal. But Cheerios and Cornflakes taste better.

Comment submitted: 10/26/2012 (#9720)

By Riddi Kulous

Cereal Rating (out of 5):

No more buying Weetabix now that they've compromised quality - no longer organic. GMOs no thanks!

Comment submitted: 8/29/2012 (#8943)

By TerBear90 (Team Breakfast Member)

Cereal Rating (out of 5):

I bought this one time hoping it might be similar to Ruskets, which I loved. I made the mistake of putting Weetabix in a bowl and adding milk, which, almost instantaneously created a disgusting paste. I guess it's something you have to grow up with but I'm just not one for mushy food. Perhaps CactusHeart's recommendation of eating it as a cookie...

Comment submitted: 3/9/2012 (#6793)

By weetbix kid

Cereal Rating (out of 5):

Does WeetAbix contain G.M wheat ? I know that Sanitarium in Australia are proud to say they use no G.M products.

Comment submitted: 2/27/2011 (#4016)

By Drury

Cereal Rating (out of 5):

A wonderful cereal, with a delightful malt aftertaste.

Comment submitted: 11/4/2010 (#3210)

View all 15 comments for this cereal.