Brakes slam on, tyres squeal in protest and — alas! — the takeout bag on the passenger seat keels over, plopping greasy food out into your car’s plush interior.
If this scenario is all too familiar to you, we have good news, as an inventor has developed a special seatbelt designed to keep fast food bags upright as you drive.
The brainchild of Atlanta-based Dan Stevenson, ‘BAGO’ works by hanging out of the glovebox and clipping to the top of the bag resting on the passenger-side floor.
An anchor helps keep the strap secured in the glovebox, while an adjuster allows the BAGO’s length to be tailored to reach, but not suspend, the bag in question.
In this way, the gadget ensures the bag remains upright, acting a bit like the safety anchors people use to stop heavy bookcases from tipping over.
BAGO has been launched on the crowdfunding website Indiegogo, where it can be purchased for $22 (£16) and is expected to ship by June.
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An inventor has developed a special seatbelt specifically designed to keep fast food bags upright as you drive. The brainchild of Atlanta-based Dan Stevenson, ‘BAGO’ works by hanging out of the glovebox and clipping to the top of the bag resting on the passenger-side floor
BAGO, Mr Stevenson explained, ‘will serve as a helpful companion in your glovebox for many years to come.’
‘It’s primary purpose is to ensure to-go bags and groceries don’t tip over and spill while being transported in your car,’ he said.
‘An important secondary benefit is that it allows the driver to focus on the road without feeling the need to reach over and hold onto a bag to prevent spills during turns and while braking.
‘Since then I’ve continued to think about the product and have been testing different designs and materials to find the right mix of functionality and durability.
‘I believe I’ve struck that balance and am so excited to introduce BAGO, a product that will serve as a helpful companion in your glovebox for many years to come!’
According to the product information, BAGO works with all cars with a passenger-side fold-open glove box.
Alongside fast food to-go bags, the system could also be used to hold up grocery bags or even handbags.
The concept, the inventor explained, ‘started as an idea that popped into my head while I was sitting at a stop light about two years ago.’
At the time of writing, BAGO has been backed to the tune of a total of just under £7,700 by 180 backers.
‘BAGO is built to last using high quality components and assembled with care in the USA, Mr Stevenson said. Pictured: the seatbelt strap that makes up the main portion of the gadget
‘BAGO is built to last using high quality components and assembled with care in the USA, Mr Stevenson said.
‘These components include the purpose-built anchor piece constructed with smooth edges to treat your glovebox with care, the ultra-strong and durable seat belt strap material and the powerful metal-constructed clamp.
The latter, he added, ‘keeps a grip on the bag through tight turns and changing speeds.’
More information on BAGO can be found on the product’s Indiegogo page.
From a no-chicken KFC burger to McDonald’s dippers – will YOU be reaching for plant-based treats?
High street fast food chains are rolling out hotly-anticipated vegan alternatives as Veganuary gets into full swing.
KFC
KFC’s vegan offering, pictured above, looks like a fried chicken burger but the fillet is replaced with Quorn
On Thursday KFC released a vegan burger, made with a Quorn fillet, lettuce and vegan mayonnaise.
It uses the same blend of 11 herbs and spices as the chain does for its chicken options. KFC bosses claim it boast the same flavour, but with no meat.
Ira Dubinsky, Innovation Director at KFC in the UK and Ireland said: ‘The Colonel was all about welcoming everyone to his table – now vegans, flexitarians and our fried chicken fans can all enjoy the taste of our Original Recipe together.
‘We’ve worked hard to perfect the flavour and make a Vegan Burger the Colonel would be proud of. It’s the same flavour of KFC, just with zero chicken.’
McDonald’s
The new McDonald’s Veggie Dippers (pictured) – which have been approved by The Vegetarian Society and certified as vegan compliant – are available as both an adult meal and Happy Meal
For flexitarians, vegetarians, vegans or those looking to make more meat-free choices during ‘Veganuary’, McDonald’s will be offering their first ever fully vegan meal from today.
The new Veggie Dippers – which have been approved by The Vegetarian Society and certified as vegan compliant as well as gluten free – are available as both an adult meal and Happy Meal.
They are made with red pepper, rice, sundried tomato pesto and split peas surrounded by light and crispy breadcrumbs.
The dippers are now a permanent menu item so will remain available even after ‘Veganuary’ ends.
For four Veggie Dippers, fries and a soft drink the RRP is £4.99, while the veggie dippers Happy Meal will be £2.99. Alternatively, the four Veggie Dippers can be purchased separately for £3.29.
Wagamama
Wagamama’s watermelon tuna, which in look and texture claims to be incredibly similar to tuna sashimi, although the flavour remains reminiscent of watermelon
Wagamama became the first major UK restaurant brand to launch a vegan alternative to tuna.
The dish will be featured during Veganuary and the vegan ‘tuna’ is made with dehydrated watermelon which is then sliced, seared and served hot.
The look and texture claims to be incredibly similar to tuna sashimi, although the flavour remains reminiscent of watermelon.
The ‘tuna’ is dressed with a miso sesame sauce and sits on a bed of white rice which is dressed with soy seasoning and accompanied with pickled radish, kale and tenderstem broccoli and an avocado, edamame and tofu guacamole.
Pizza Hut: Vegan Pepperoni pizza
Pizza Hut Restaurants has launched a new limited edition vegan pizza that aims to appease even the greatest meat lovers by claiming to taste just like the real thing.
The new Vegan Pepperphoni Pizza, priced from £11.69, is topped with meat-free ‘Pepperphoni’ made from pea protein and Violife vegan cheese.
With the New Year upon us, many Brits are giving up meat as part of ‘Veganuary’ – and the UK’s favourite chains have launched a range of plant-based treats just in time. Pizza Hut have launched the new Vegan Pepperphoni Pizza (pictured), priced from £11.69, and it is topped with meat-free ‘Pepperphoni’ made from pea protein and Violife vegan cheese
Available from January 1, for one month only, it’s the seventh Pizza to join the vegan menu, which also features a range of sides and desserts.
If a vegan option is too far from guests’ usual pizza order, Pepperphoni can also be ordered as a vegetarian option with mozzarella cheese.
Costa: Vegan Smoky Ham & CheeZe Toastie
Also joining the plant-based bandwagon is Costa Coffee, as it unveils its Vegan Smoky Ham & CheeZe Toastie this week.
The coffee giant will launch the meat-free product across its UK stores on Thursday 2 January 2020.
Also joining the plant-based bandwagon is Costa Coffee, as it unveils its Vegan Smoky Ham & CheeZe Toastie (pictured) this week
Costing £2.95, the Quorn ham and vegan-friendly cheese will be sandwiched between two slices of freshly toasted golden animal and dairy-free bread.
Nando’s: Vegan Perinaise
Helping pave the way for vegan condiments, Nando’s has announced the launch of its new meat and dairy free PERinaise.
The plant-based twist on the fan favourite is available from January 1 in both restaurants and on the shelves at Tesco supermarkets.
Vegan Nando’s fans can today rejoice, as the brand has announced the launch of its new Vegan PERinaise, a plant-based twist on the fan favourite sauce available Jan 1st in both restaurants and on the shelves at Tesco supermarkets.
Helping pave the way for vegan condiments, Nando’s has announced the launch of its new meat and dairy free PERinaise (pictured)
With the brand claiming it tastes just as good as the original, Vegan PERinaise is the first plant-based substitute to be developed by the PERi-PERi chefs and is to be added to the menu’s veggie options.
A portion of the sauce in restaurants across the UK will cost 60p, while 265g bottles of the sauce stocked at Tesco supermarkets are priced at £1.90.
Greggs: Vegan Steak Bake
The hotly-anticipated, meat-free pastry finally launched across the UK today, with with a roll-out at 1,300 stores, prompting 200 people to queue in the freezing cold in Newcastle to get their hands on the £ 1.55 Quorn-based treat.
Made of 96 layers of no-butter puff pastry, the Quorn and onion gravy-based snack comes a year after the chain launched its popular vegan sausage roll – but is the Vegan Steak Bake worth the hype?
Greggs have finally launched their hotly-anticipated Vegan Steak Bake, seen above, today. It’s available across the UK in 1,300 stores
Delighted fans bragged about their purchases on social media, with one writing on Twitter: ‘Vegan steak bake from Greggs is absolutely amazing I want another 20’
Others were less convinced by the aesthetics, with one customer claiming it ‘looks like cat food’ but ‘tastes great’.
Subway: Meatless Marinara
Subway has launched a vegan version of its iconic meatball marinara sandwich as it becomes the latest chain to jump on the ‘Vegananuary’ bandwagon.
Subway has launched a vegan version of its iconic meatball marinara sandwich (pictured) as it becomes the latest chain to jump on the ‘Vegananuary’ bandwagon
The sandwich is a plant-based take on Subway’s signature meatball marinara, which is filled with meatballs, cheese and oozing tomato sauce.
Vegan customers across the UK can now enjoy the sub thanks to a tweaked recipe including vegan cheese and ‘meatless’ meatballs.
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This post first appeared on Dailymail.co.uk
