Burger King jumps on meat-free bandwagon, launches vegan 'Whopper' burger

Burger King have created a vegan version of its popular ‘Whopper’ burger.

The ‘Whopper’ is the burger chain’s signature sandwich. Introduced in 1957, the product has evolved over the years – but never before has a meat-free version been created.

Launched this week, the ‘Impossible’ burger is being trialled across 59 franchise restaurants in St Louis, in Missouri, in the US.

It was developed in collaboration with Impossible Foods, a California-based start-up company which produces plant-based food substitutes.

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The meat-free ‘patty’ contains heme, a protein taken from soybean roots said to have a similar texture to meat.

It is said to taste just like the real deal.

“I have high expectations that it’s going to be big business, not just a niche product,” Fernando Machado, Burger King’s chief marketing officer, told The New York Times.

So does it stand up to the test?

The burger has been met with popular approval on Twitter, with descriptions such as “convincing” and “familiar”.

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The meat-free meal joins the growing number of fast food retailers creating meat-free alternatives for their customers.

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This includes Greggs’ vegan sausage roll and the McDonald’s vegetarian Happy Meal and vegan McNuggets.

Fast food chains including Subway, Pizza Hut and KFC have also launched vegetarian and vegan alternatives.

It is tapping into a wider, global interest in veganism. In the UK alone, 7% of the national population identify as vegan.