McDOnald's McPlant Range

AssetBacked2

https://www.irishtimes.com/news/world/mcdonald-s-to-introduce-plant-based-burgers-1.4405314

McDonalds have partnered with Beyond to develop a plant-based range, due to launch in 2021.

McDonald’s said under its McPlant line, it could offer products including burgers, chicken substitutes and breakfast sandwiches, which it expects to test in some markets in 2021.

This is a huge announcement. Are there any mainstream, traditionally meat-based fast food chains left that don't offer a fake meat alternative? Burger King have the Rebel Whopper, KFC have a fake chicken burger, Subway do a meatless marinara. Now the behemoth of McDonald's is offering, not just a burger, but apparently a whole range. What's more and what is a real statement of intent, is that they have partnered with the multi-billion dollar Beyond company.

I think it is fantastic that our tastes are being catered for by the junk food purveyors, offering alternatives to their meat products.

At the same time, I don't think McDonald's own vegan breakfast mcmuffin will be able to hold a candle to Sam's mcmuffin from Vegan Sandwich Co!

ElKavo

Not a fan of McD's really. But this is really great to see! We had tried the kfc burger, that was a bit too dry for my liking and now its not available in any event cos .... covid. The kids will be delighted if this ever comes here, they haven't seen the inside of a Mc'D's in about 5 years! Which in itself isn't a bad thing lol.

I've had the BK equivalent and really liked it. I even prefer it to the normal Whopper. Looking forward to giving one of these a try.

ElKavo

Deleted User wrote: »

I've had the BK equivalent and really liked it. I even prefer it to the normal Whopper. Looking forward to giving one of these a try.

Still havent found one yet, No BK here in Waterford. I stopped in to BK in paulstown services on the way to Kildare but they were sold out!

Thelonious Monk

People are flipping out over it on thejournal, it's hilarious. Anything to do with vegans, the greens, or cycling really seem to drive people crazy. 3 comments for the poor woman killed in a hit and run though, by a car, so that's ok!
I had the BK one, it wasn't bad, but wouldn't be rushing back.

Unearthly

Great to have the options. Just helps with being easier to integrate in a mostly non vegan world.

Dominos look like they are going to extend their range to

Bigbooty

It's great that veganism is becoming more mainstream. Anything that reduces perceived barriers to veganism is ultimately a good thing. I'd rather support vegan or small businesses though.

AssetBacked2

Thelonious Monk wrote: »

People are flipping out over it on thejournal, it's hilarious. Anything to do with vegans, the greens, or cycling really seem to drive people crazy. 3 comments for the poor woman killed in a hit and run though, by a car, so that's ok!
I had the BK one, it wasn't bad, but wouldn't be rushing back.

I presume the typical pig-headed ignorance of "I don't understand why vegans want to eat meat if they love animals". Such a knuckle-dragger argument.

65535

AssetBacked2 wrote: »

https://www.irishtimes.com/news/world/mcdonald-s-to-introduce-plant-based-burgers-1.4405314

McDonalds have partnered with Beyond to develop a plant-based range, due to launch in 2021.

I also see that they are using 'Plant' instead of 'Vegan' - the word 'Vegan' seems to be like a red flag to a bull so they have chosen that wisely.

gozunda

AssetBacked wrote:

2https://www.irishtimes...ed-burgers-1.4405314
McDonalds have partnered with Beyond to develop a plant-based range, due to launch in 2021.

65535 wrote: »

I also see that they are using 'Plant' instead of 'Vegan' - the word 'Vegan' seems to be like a red flag to a bull so they have chosen that wisely.

Saw the journal.ie article earlier and looks it is planned to be launched in selected markets next year.

Apparently its been referred to as a 'plant' based because its also suitable for vegetarians etc. Though McDs may not be using Beyond products

The restaurant chain has not yet said if it will renew its collaboration with Beyond Meat, only saying it will reach out to third-party suppliers as with all its other products...

Beyond Meat shares plunged on Wall Street on the announcement, down 25% at 10.40pm in electronic exchanges following the close of the New York Stock Exchange.

https://www.thejournal.ie/mcdonalds-mcplant-burger-5261781-Nov2020/

Reckon the comments are fairly normal for the journal tbh

Eduard Khil

Will they prepare this range separately from the meat fish and chicken products or will it be cooked with the same oil/fat?

Donegal Overlanding

My girlfriend is a vegetarian. We were on holiday in Valencia in January this year just as BK launched the Rebel. I even created a google review of it. I took photos and everything, have a look here.

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/contrib/113546131018702727029/place/ChIJtflDNhBPYA0RA9JKe2okoQs/@39.4753985,-0.3965465,14z/data=!4m4!1m3!8m2!1e1!2s113546131018702727029

It was only later that we found out they cooked it on the same grill as the meat burgers, she was so disappointed and felt betrayed by them.

AssetBacked2

Yeah, they haven't advertised it as vegan for that reason. It was brought in to appease the flexitarians rather than vegans or veggies.

eviltwin

Veggie, vegan or meat eater its good for people to have options. I know a few people who have the Rebel Whopper now over the meat version, they aren't veggies but are aware of the impact of meat consumption and want something different.

I find as a vegan when I go out to eat with people we tend to stick to the same places as we have to go somewhere that caters for me. If more restaurants have vegan or veggie options it can only be a good thing surely? I don't know why people get so incensed over it.

As an aside, the KFC burger is 100% vegan. Cooked separately, vegan mayo etc.

65535

Well my understanding is that if it is suitable for Vegans then it is suitable for Vegetarians, maybe I'm wrong.
With regard to them cooking it on the same grill as meat well at least it's a step in the right direction and can only get better.

Xterminator

there are very good practical reasons why Burger king cook the substitute and the meat whoppers on the same equipment. The kitchens in most restaurants would have to be refitted to fit an extra broiler - and then there would be extra costs with purchasing, and running etc.

So they have 2 choices - offer the meat substitute in the existing kitchen format, which allows customers to choose a non meat patty or not carry the burger in most BK's.

now if your aim was to see less animals killed for meat, im pretty sure which of the 2 choices is more palatable. IMO BK were open about that they were doing, and i believe its a good thing.

But i do understand that if you assumed it was vegan patty so i can eat it you might be unpleasantly surprised to learn about how ir is prepared. That is because of an assumption though. The information was available.

eviltwin

The BK bean burger is baked so that's a vegan option - obviously without the mayo.

Donegal Overlanding

Xterminator wrote: »

there are very good practical reasons why Burger king cook the substitute and the meat whoppers on the same equipment. The kitchens in most restaurants would have to be refitted to fit an extra broiler - and then there would be extra costs with purchasing, and running etc.

So they have 2 choices - offer the meat substitute in the existing kitchen format, which allows customers to choose a non meat patty or not carry the burger in most BK's.

now if your aim was to see less animals killed for meat, im pretty sure which of the 2 choices is more palatable. IMO BK were open about that they were doing, and i believe its a good thing.

But i do understand that if you assumed it was vegan patty so i can eat it you might be unpleasantly surprised to learn about how ir is prepared. That is because of an assumption though. The information was available.

Well, it was just launched and it was in Spanish...so not quite as easy as if it had been launched at home. Anyway, she really liked the burgers taste, probably because of all the delicious juicy animal fat it was cooked in!

Thelonious Monk

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/nov/18/laugh-if-you-want-but-the-mcplant-burger-is-a-step-to-a-greener-world

Have to say the burger in the picture looks very appetising

It looks awesome.

Great to see a company of this size not afraid to promote all the benefits of a plant based option.

So whether it’s for environmental reasons, health reasons or just plain disgust at the cruelty involved people don’t have to make the big changes they previously had to.

So that’s milk covered with all the cruelty free options we now have.

Meat covered too which was more difficult to replicate than milk but looks to be definitely going in the right direction.

Just cheese now (although I know a lot of people are really happy with some of the cruelty free cheeses available) and you’d imagine we’ll see more progress soon.

Good times ahead.

Faith

Mod Note: Thread re-opened.

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Thanks.

My girlfriend is quite excited for this. She LOVES McDonald’s & really does miss Big Mac haha. It’ll also be nice not to get a weird stare when I order a Big Mac without the meat patty for her.

Had no idea before this thread that subway & KFC had vegan options! Shame about BK’s but I do understand. Hopefully the McDonald’s launch doesn’t mimic All Day Breakfast and never reach our shores. Haha.

auspicious

Deleted User wrote: »

My girlfriend is quite excited for this. She LOVES McDonald’s & really does miss Big Mac haha. It’ll also be nice not to get a weird stare when I order a Big Mac without the meat patty for her.

Had no idea before this thread that subway & KFC had vegan options! Shame about BK’s but I do understand. Hopefully the McDonald’s launch doesn’t mimic All Day Breakfast and never reach our shores. Haha.

Subway meatless meatballs are delicious with vegan cheese and sauce imo. The nearest one to me is half an hours' drive away though

Dempo1

If their Mcplant range is as vile as their Breakfast, NO THANKS.

It's always baffled me how their breakfast is so popular, I can't think of any food item it remotely tastes or looks like, absolutely hideous, this said, I do enjoy a Big Mac

Dempo1

Dempo1 wrote: »

If their Mcplant range is as vile as their Breakfast, NO THANKS.

It's always baffled me how their breakfast is so popular, I can't think of any food item it remotely tastes or looks like, absolutely hideous, this said, I do enjoy a Big Mac

how dare you I won’t listen to this McMuffin slander sir.

Dempo1

[Deleted User] wrote: »

how dare you I won’t listen to this McMuffin slander sir.

lol, I know, I've tried and tried to like it but my taste buds, having none of it

rainbow kirby

Suits me, my meat eating kids love a sneaky Maccy D's on a day out for a treat and my choices are quite limited!

DoozerT6

I have to say, since going veggie I do miss an auld sausage and egg McMuffin :o I'd love a vegan option.

Unearthly

DoozerT6 wrote: »

I have to say, since going veggie I do miss an auld sausage and egg McMuffin :o I'd love a vegan option.

oh it will eventually come.

I'd be interested to see in the future if these restaurants continue partnerships with the likes of Beyond Meat/Quorn or will they develop their own brand. I'd be very surprised if they don't have a team right now attempting to cut out the middle person

gozunda

Haha. I looked at the picture of the product above above and tbh thought it looks like all the other fast food McDs sell. And like all the McDonalds stuff - it wouldn't be my cup of tea. Just my 2 cents. And yes I understand people do want to eat these types of foods. And that's fine too

As for McDonalds selling stuff / promoting stuff. They are a mega corporation and imo would flog just about anything. Dont think there's to much real sentiment behind such marketing campaigns..

Regardless of what anyone thinks about different types of foods production - not sure why the reason for the constant refrain of the marketing phrase "cruelty free" tbh. McDs not using this afaik.. it generally refers to testing for cosmetics and shampoos on *live* animals and not foods nor vegan. At best a misnomer tbh. Some information here

https://blog.publicgoods.com/what-does-cruelty-free-actually-mean/

OscarMIlde

Bigbooty wrote: »

It's great that veganism is becoming more mainstream. Anything that reduces perceived barriers to veganism is ultimately a good thing. I'd rather support vegan or small businesses though.

It's pretty irritating as a coeliac though, that major companies are so willing to cater for what is essentially a lifestyle choice, while a genuine medical condition such as coeliac disease is not catered for to the same degree. I work in a hospital, and the canteen lists vegan, vegetarian, and halal options, but no gluten free options. This despite the fact that 1/100 Irish people are coeliacs and have no choice but to adhere to a gluten free diet. Even a lot of restaurants that used to have a gluten free section to the menu have replaced it with a vegan section, as they are catering to whatever is the current 'fad' regarding food, regardless of the consequences.

Tom Mann Centuria

OscarMIlde wrote: »

It's pretty irritating as a coeliac though, that major companies are so willing to cater for what is essentially a lifestyle choice, while a genuine medical condition such as coeliac disease is not catered for to the same degree. I work in a hospital, and the canteen lists vegan, vegetarian, and halal options, but no gluten free options. This despite the fact that 1/100 Irish people are coeliacs and have no choice but to adhere to a gluten free diet. Even a lot of restaurants that used to have a gluten free section to the menu have replaced it with a vegan section, as they are catering to whatever is the current 'fad' regarding food, regardless of the consequences.

You should probably contact the catering manager of your hospital. Where I work there is vegetarian (normally a salad, occasionally veg spring rolls) and that is all.


Out of interest which restaurants have replaced their gluten free section with a vegan section.

Unearthly

Yeah vegans and vegetarians aren't to blame for your situation.

Ask the actual restaurants for your type of food

Ten of Swords

gozunda wrote: »

not sure why the reason for the constant refrain of the marketing phrase "cruelty free" tbh

Just so we're all clear, the term "cruelty" is permissible in this forum in relation to animal farming, as long as it is not being used to blatantly troll. This has been added to the new charter and there are no plans to change this

https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2058131076

Now, with that said, lets stick with the topic at hand. Thanks

OscarMIlde

Unearthly wrote: »

Yeah vegans and vegetarians aren't to blame for your situation.

Ask the actual restaurants for your type of food

I'm not blaming vegans and vegetarians. It's just frustrating that there is such a push for vegan products when it is often impossible to get gluten free options in a wide variety of public areas/amenities considering we have an actually medical condition that needs to be catered for, and we really cannot deviate from our diet.

Faith

Ten of Swords wrote: »

Just so we're all clear, the term "cruelty" is permissible in this forum in relation to animal farming, as long as it is not being used to blatantly troll. This has been added to the new charter and there are no plans to change this

https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2058131076

Now, with that said, lets stick with the topic at hand. Thanks

Mod note: gozunda banned for 1 week for breach of forum charter as he was very well aware of the charter updates regarding the word 'cruelty' but chose to ignore it.

OscarMIlde

OscarMIlde wrote: »

It's pretty irritating as a coeliac though, that major companies are so willing to cater for what is essentially a lifestyle choice, while a genuine medical condition such as coeliac disease is not catered for to the same degree. I work in a hospital, and the canteen lists vegan, vegetarian, and halal options, but no gluten free options. This despite the fact that 1/100 Irish people are coeliacs and have no choice but to adhere to a gluten free diet. Even a lot of restaurants that used to have a gluten free section to the menu have replaced it with a vegan section, as they are catering to whatever is the current 'fad' regarding food, regardless of the consequences.

That’s a pretty unfair statement. My girlfriend has been a vegetarian for 14 years I can assure you it’s not a “fad” as you put it.

OscarMIlde

[Deleted User] wrote: »

That’s a pretty unfair statement. My girlfriend has been a vegetarian for 14 years I can assure you it’s not a “fad” as you put it.

I'm saying that the food producers view these things as fads. That's why slowly I am seeing more convenience gluten free products being replaced in supermarkets/shops/restaurants in favour of vegan products. And for me, I cannot substitute.

It's not meant as an attack on vegans, it's just frustrating that if I forget my lunch I have to order an expensive deliveroo, yet there are vegan options in all the nearby places to eat. Given such a high proportion of Ireland's population have coeliac disease it's ridiculous.

3DataModem

I'm a meat eater, but extremely supportive of the move to plant-based or lab-grown meat, for environmental (as well as some ethical reasons). If I can get burgers with similar taste and similar-ish nutritional content I'll definitely switch, and as they become more mainstream younger people will move away from the meat products.

Looking forward to trying the McDs version.

spurious

Not a vegan, but tried one of these today. Very tasty. Apart from the fact that it was very drippy (maybe too much sauce), I thought it was very nice. I would not have an issue having it instead of the meat version.