McDonald’s to add vegan burger to menu in Finland and Sweden

McDonald's has added a vegan burger to the menu at its restaurants in Finland and Sweden.

The burger consists of a soy patty, bun, lettuce, pickles, mustard, oil and an egg-free sauce. The vegan fare would be rolled out on 28 December.

But the vegan alternative would not be offered in New Zealand, according to a local spokesman.

The McVegan burger was developed by specialty Norweigan food company, Orkla, to cater to increasing demand for vegetable-based foods and environmentally-friendly products.

McDonald's spokesman Henrek Neill said, "as the main ingredient is plant-based, the McVegan is considered to have a smaller climate impact".

"Like our other burgers, the McVegan is tasty and has a good texture," he said.

McDonald's New Zealand put a vegetarian burger as a trial last year, and earlier this year added a salad burger to the menu earlier. It does not have any plan to roll out a vegan option.

"From time to time we get requests from customers for options like gluten-free buns, and vegan and vegetarian patties," a spokesman said.

McDonald's said the burger will be added to its permanent menu in the two countries, a response to "more and more" people wanting to eat "plant-based food" that is better for the environment.

The McDonald's McVegan burger will be launched in Sweden and Finland on 28 December.

McDonald's is not the only food company to jump on the vegan diet, which cuts out all meat, milk, eggs and animal products.

Nearly 10 per cent of new food launches in Sweden this year were vegan items, research firm Mintel said. This is up nearly eight-fold from 2012.