The spokeswoman added: "There has been some concern regarding halal products among the Sikh population.

"Animal welfare is very important to McDonalds. Ritual slaughter is something we would not consider.

"At the point of slaughter a qualified Muslim slaughter officer offers a prayer."

Muslims have been calling for McDonalds in the UK to offer halal food for years. It is the most frequently question posted on the McDonalds website.

The spokeswoman added: "We are always looking to see how as a business we can meet the demands of our customers.

"Some of our customers are very pleased with it while others have concerns and don't want to eat halal."

McDonalds offers halal food in many of its restaurants around the world including at two restaurants in Melbourne, Australia.

Sales were significantly boosted but late last year the move sparked outrage among some non-Muslim customers who complained they were not told their food was halal and that their hamburger meat was slaughtered and blessed in accordance with Islamic rules laid down in the Koran.

Halal meat is from animals that have been stunned and bled facing Mecca and blessed using the name of Allah.