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| Burger King: New plant-based burger 'not for vegans' | Burger King: New plant-based burger 'not for vegans' |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Burger King has launched its first plant-based burger in the UK - but it is not suitable for vegans and vegetarians. | Burger King has launched its first plant-based burger in the UK - but it is not suitable for vegans and vegetarians. |
| The soy-based version of its Whopper burger is cooked on the same grill as meat burgers. | The soy-based version of its Whopper burger is cooked on the same grill as meat burgers. |
| The fast food chain says the Rebel Whopper is aimed at those who want to cut meat consumption. | The fast food chain says the Rebel Whopper is aimed at those who want to cut meat consumption. |
| But a spokesperson for the Vegan Society called the launch a "missed opportunity". | But a spokesperson for the Vegan Society called the launch a "missed opportunity". |
| Burger King says that the burger "patty" itself is plant-based, but because of how it is cooked it will not be labelled as suitable for vegans or vegetarians. | Burger King says that the burger "patty" itself is plant-based, but because of how it is cooked it will not be labelled as suitable for vegans or vegetarians. |
| It will also be served with mayonnaise, unless the customer asks otherwise. | It will also be served with mayonnaise, unless the customer asks otherwise. |
| Katie Evans, marketing director for the chain, said the burger was aimed at "flexitarians". She added it wanted the burger to replicate the "flame-grilled taste" as closely as possible. | Katie Evans, marketing director for the chain, said the burger was aimed at "flexitarians". She added it wanted the burger to replicate the "flame-grilled taste" as closely as possible. |
| Burger King did confirm, though, that its vegetarian bean burger and its vegetarian option on the children's menu are cooked separately. | Burger King did confirm, though, that its vegetarian bean burger and its vegetarian option on the children's menu are cooked separately. |
| Sam Calvert, head of communications at the Vegan Society, said that not making the new burger fully vegan "seems a missed opportunity". | Sam Calvert, head of communications at the Vegan Society, said that not making the new burger fully vegan "seems a missed opportunity". |
| She added that vegan mayonnaise was "readily available" and used by other well-known chains, which would also make the burger suitable for some religious groups that avoid eating certain animals and eggs. | She added that vegan mayonnaise was "readily available" and used by other well-known chains, which would also make the burger suitable for some religious groups that avoid eating certain animals and eggs. |
| 'Jumping on the bandwagon' | 'Jumping on the bandwagon' |
| The Rebel Whopper launch on Monday also saw a backlash on social media. One Twitter user called it "a case of big corporations jumping on the bandwagon of a trend". | |
| Lifestyle blogger Donna Wishart criticised Burger King for failing to deliver "actual vegan products", when other fast food companies do so. | Lifestyle blogger Donna Wishart criticised Burger King for failing to deliver "actual vegan products", when other fast food companies do so. |
| However, Toni Vernelli, international head of communications and marketing at Veganuary, dismissed claims that Burger King was trying to "capitalise on the vegan pound". | However, Toni Vernelli, international head of communications and marketing at Veganuary, dismissed claims that Burger King was trying to "capitalise on the vegan pound". |
| She said that "increasing the availability of plant-based options" was the best way to encourage the reduction of meat consumption. | She said that "increasing the availability of plant-based options" was the best way to encourage the reduction of meat consumption. |
| "Don't let perfection be the enemy of good," she said. | "Don't let perfection be the enemy of good," she said. |
| The Vegan Society describes veganism as a "lifestyle" that avoids all animal foods such as meat, dairy, eggs and honey, as well as animal-based products like leather. | The Vegan Society describes veganism as a "lifestyle" that avoids all animal foods such as meat, dairy, eggs and honey, as well as animal-based products like leather. |
| According to the latest research by the Vegan Society, conducted in 2018, there are about 600,000 vegans in Great Britain. | |
| Flexitarianism, part-time vegetarianism or veganism, is becoming more popular. | Flexitarianism, part-time vegetarianism or veganism, is becoming more popular. |
| In 2020, at least 300,000 people pledged to go vegan for the first month of the year, under the Veganuary campaign, the organisation said. | In 2020, at least 300,000 people pledged to go vegan for the first month of the year, under the Veganuary campaign, the organisation said. |
| Interest in vegan and vegetarian products shows no sign of slowing down. This January, other well-known food chains have launched meat substitutions for popular products. | Interest in vegan and vegetarian products shows no sign of slowing down. This January, other well-known food chains have launched meat substitutions for popular products. |
| Bakery Greggs announced a vegan "steak bake" after the success of its vegan sausage roll last year, while coffee chain Costa said it would offer a "vegan ham and cheese" toastie. | Bakery Greggs announced a vegan "steak bake" after the success of its vegan sausage roll last year, while coffee chain Costa said it would offer a "vegan ham and cheese" toastie. |