Now vegans can enjoy a burger at McDonald’s

MCDONALD’S is to launch a vegan burger as the food movement grows in popularity.

Made using soya protein, the McVegan will initially be sold in Scandinavia. However, the rise of veganism in the UK suggests it could soon arrive here.

The McVegan proved a ‘huge success’ when it was tested in a number of McDonald’s restaurants in Finland during the autumn. It will now become a regular menu item in 210 outlets across Sweden and 60 in Finland from December 28.

Head of food strategy at McDonald’s in Sweden, Staffan Ekstam, called the product ‘fun and exciting’. The burger was developed by vegan brand Anamma, part of the Swedish company Orkla. Henrik Eriksson, of Orkla, said the vegan burger has not been formulated specifically for Nordic tastes.

‘It is developed to be neutral and then it’s possible to add on different flavours,’ he said.

There are now more than half a million vegans in the UK, according to polls.

Motives for switching to veganism – which prohibits all animal products including dairy – include concerns about the exploitation of farm animals.