McDonald's brings 'McVegan' burger to some European locations

Dec. 19 (UPI) -- McDonald's will put its McVegan burger on the permanent menu in two European countries, the company announced this month.

Only customers in Sweden and Finland will be able to enjoy the plant-based burger, which was first introduced near Helsinki in October for a seven-week trial run.

But the burger proved to be popular enough that more McDonald's locations in those two countries will offer it, beginning on Dec. 28.

"Following consumer trends and expectations, the markets locally decide and test which products are more relevant and interesting for their local consumers," a McDonald's spokesperson told the Los Angeles Times' Daily Meal blog.

The "meat" part of the burger is made out of a soy-based patty, a bun with no animal products and the customer's choice of tomato, lettuce, pickles, onion, ketchup, mustard and an egg-less sandwich sauce.

McDonald's told CNN that the sandwich will be enticing to vegans, as well as customers who want to minimize their carbon footprint.

"As the main ingredient is plant-based, the McVegan is considered to have a smaller climate impact," the company said.