McDonald's has said it is to start selling a vegan burger in the UK and Ireland after years of research to perfect it. The McPlant burger will be trialled in 10 Coventry restaurants from late September and go national next year. But the launch lags behind rival fast food chains, such as Greggs with its vegan sausage roll and Burger King with a soy-based Rebel Whopper. McDonald's said it took its time to ensure it met the highest standards. The fast food giant spent three years researching and testing different burgers and cheeses.While the Vegan Society estimates that there are about 600,000 vegans in Britain, research conducted by the British Nutrition Foundation and YouGov in 2020 found that 61% of UK adults surveyed were unlikely to switch to a plant-based diet. But Barclays Bank forecasts that consumption of meat alternatives might be worth $140bn (£106bn) by 2029.
