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McDonald's launches vegetable-based burger that's not for vegetarians

McDonald's new McVeggie burger
Maccas has launched a McVeggie burger. Photo: McDonald's

McDonald’s has announced the launch of the highly-anticipated McVeggie burger in Australia today - but there is one glaring issue with it that has plenty of people on social media confused.

Available from today at all restaurants nationwide, the McVeggie is a permanent addition to the menu and is the first time a vegetable-based burger has been available at Maccas restaurants in Australia.

However, despite the fact the burger is ‘packed full of Australian grown veggies’, it’s actually not suitable for vegetarians.

“For those who are vegetarian, although there are no meat ingredients in the McVeggie Burger, due to its cooking procedure, it’s not strictly vegetarian,” Jenni Dill, Chief Marketing Officer, McDonald’s Australia, said in a statement.

The McVeggie Burger is made with a crunchy patty including potatoes, peas, corn, carrot and onion. The patty is then paired with cheese, lettuce, herbs and spices, mayonnaise and Macca’s iconic pickles, all on a sesame seed bun.

“We know there’s an appetite for alternatives to traditional meat proteins and Australians are looking for more plant-based options in their diet,” Jenni added.

“As a business constantly focused on responding to what Australians want, we’re excited to now be serving up the McVeggie Burger to our customers across the country.”

The burger, which is also available in New Zealand, has caused for some confusion on social media - with many wondering what the point is of a vegetable-based burger that isn’t for vegetarians.

Of course the reaction to the news wasn’t all bad, with plenty of people sharing their thoughts after trying the burger for the first time.

“New McVeggie burger is chompchompchomp,” one person tweeted.

As a burger it also got plenty of thumbs up from Yahoo HQ after a taste test in the office.

It’s not the first time either, a new vegetable-based burger has sparked some debate after it’s revealed as not for vegetarians.

Burger King in the UK sparked some controversy with their own plant-based burger, the Rebel Whopper, that was also not 100 per cent suitable for vegetarians or vegans because of the way it is cooked.

Though the Rebel Whopper is made from sustainable soy, the fast-food chain admits the meat-free Whopper-style alternative is cooked on Burger King’s “signature broiler”, where its beef burgers are cooked.

The same burger is also available in Australia at Hungry Jacks, but some fans on Twitter have claimed a few individual stores have been able to set up separate cooking facilities to avoid cross-contamination.

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