'It is time for the brand famous for the dippable McNugget to launch a dippable option for our vegetarian, vegan, and flexitarian customers'

The meal will launch in January (Photo: McDonald's)

McDonald's is launching a fully vegan meal in the UK in January.

The meal, which costs £4.99, includes Veggie Dippers, fries, and a drink. The veggie dippers feature red pepper, rice, sundried tomato pesto, and split peas, coated in crispy breadcrumbs. They will also come as part of the fast-food giant's first vegan Happy Meal.

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The Vegan Society has accredited the dippers, which McDonald's says 'are prepared in a way that avoids contamination with any dairy ingredients, making this product fully vegan'.

80% uplift

"In the last 12 months we've seen an 80 percent uplift in customers ordering vegetarian options at McDonald's, so it is time for the brand famous for the dippable McNugget to launch a dippable option for our vegetarian, vegan and flexitarian customers," said Thomas O'Neill, Head of Food Marketing at McDonald's UK & Ireland.

"The Veggie Dippers are a delicious addition to our menu, and we're looking forward to seeing what customers make of our first vegan Extra Value Meal and Happy Meal in the New Year."

The meal features Veggie Dippers (Photo: McDonald's)

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Boycotting McDonald's

The new meal is likely to fiercely divide opinion within the vegan movement, due to McDonald's history of mistreating animals.

The fast-food giant was accused of 'ghosting' its animal welfare responsibilities earlier this year, by non-profit organization, The Humane League.

The League made a video aiming to pressure McDonald's into signing the Better Chicken Commitment - which sets out clear requirements for animals being raised for meat such as banning the use of cages and multi-tier systems.

'Unimaginable suffering'

"Behind closed doors, animals are suffering in unimaginable ways for McDonald's menu items. Chickens are bred to grow so large, so fast, they can hardly walk," said the organization.

"They spend their short, miserable lives in crowded, filthy sheds. Despite thousands of consumers voicing their concerns about this animal cruelty, McDonald's executives have refused to listen.

"It's time they stop ghosting their chicken welfare responsibilities."