Plant-based product launches continue with more innovation hitting the market
Plant-based innovation is continuing to boom with McDonald’s entering the market with Beyond Meat and Meatless Farm partnering with pea protein supplier Equinom.
McDonald’s UK&I has announced a trial for its first ever plant-based burger – the McPlant. The fast food chain has spent three years on research and development of the plant-based patty co-developed with Beyond Meat as well innovating with its vegan cheese based on pea protein and a new vegan sauce.
The UK&I version of the McPlant is fully accredited as vegan by the Vegetarian Society. McPlant will be available in 10 restaurants in Coventry from 29 September and over 250 from October and nationwide from January.
Innovate
Michelle Graham-Clare, chief marketing officer, McDonald’s UK and Ireland said: “We’re so pleased to be finally launching McPlant in the UK and Ireland. As with every McDonald’s offering, we take our time to ensure it meets the highest standards and is something that all our customers will enjoy. We are always looking for different ways to innovate and meet our customers’ needs, and with McPlant we have a delicious plant-based burger that will appeal to everyone. Whether you’re vegan or just fancy a plant-based patty, we’re confident you will enjoy the McPlant.”
The news comes as Meatless Farm and its ingredients subsidiary Lovingly Made Ingredients has partnered with Equinom and its pea protein concentrate that will be used in a wide variety of Meatless Farm food products, to delivery 50% more protein.
Pea protein
“Partnering with Meatless Farm and Lovingly Made Ingredients validates Equinom's improved pea protein concentrate as a valuable ingredient in plant-based nutrition and solidifies our position in the industry,” said Gil Shalev, PHD, founder, and CEO of Equinom.“We are proud to collaborate with a company with the same vision ⎯⎯ that the world’s source of protein must come from a clean, sustainable and accessible ingredient made only by nature.”
Morten Toft Bech, founder of Meatless Farm, said: “We are committed to creating a more sustainable global food system from field to fork and partnering with Equinom takes us a step closer to reaching a net zero supply chain. The higher protein content of our products will also help achieve our mission to help people reduce their meat consumption by providing credible plant-based swaps for meat that are accessible and still taste great.”
The news comes as Baxters recently revealed it was adding vegan lines to its plant-based soups range.
