Meatless Burgers Calm Veggies’ Beefs

McDonald’s Corp., the fast-food giant that built a worldwide reputation on the hamburger, launched its first meatless burger Monday to cheers from vegetarians and animal rights campaigners.

The “veggie burger”--made of potatoes, peas, sweetcorn, carrots, onion and spices--went on sale at 84 Dutch restaurants, a McDonald’s spokeswoman said.

At $2.60, including a cottage cheese and chives dressing, it costs slightly less than a Big Mac.

“Billions served still means billions (of animals) slaughtered, but I’m thrilled they’re taking the first step,” said vegetarian American pop singer Chrissie Hynde. “The next step is to bring McVeggies to America.”