McDonald's criticised for McAfrika burger

McDonald's has come under fire for selling a McAfrika burger in Norway when 12 million people are facing starvation in southern Africa.

It is a combination of beef, cheese, tomatoes and salad in a pitta-style sandwich and is said to be based on an authentic African recipe.

Norwegian Church Aid has described it as "inappropriate and distasteful".

A spokeswoman for McDonald's in Norway says that hadn't been the intention and the idea was to reflect the African recipe.

The Guardian reports it has now offered to allow aid agencies to leave collection boxes and fundraising posters in restaurants selling McAfrika burgers while they are on sale.

Linn Aas-Hansen of Norwegian Church Aid, who has been protesting outside a branch in Oslo, told Aftenposten: "It's inappropriate and distasteful to launch a hamburger called McAfrika when large portions of southern Africa are on the verge of starvation."

Company spokeswoman Margaret Brusletto says it is sorry the name of the new burger has negative connotations.

"That wasn't our intention," she said. "At the same time, we acknowledge that we have chosen an unfortunate time to launch this new product."

After reaching an agreement to host fundraising boxes and posters, McDonald's UK head office told The Guardian: "All of the involved parties are happy with this solution.

"We hope this will put a wider focus on the important job that these organisations are doing, and McDonald's in Norway is pleased to be able to support this."