PETA Urges Nigella Lawson to Make Ham in Coca-Cola Recipe Vegan

Animal rights organization PETA has urged celebrity chef Nigella Lawson to replace the traditional ham in her well-known 'Ham in Coca-Cola' recipe with a vegan alternative. The group cited concerns about animal welfare and the health implications of consuming processed meats.

In a letter to Lawson, PETA vice president Dawn Carr highlighted the intelligence and emotional complexity of pigs, stating they are often subjected to painful procedures and confined to poor conditions before slaughter. "Updating your Ham in Coca-Cola to feature healthy vegan ham instead of a pig's bottom wouldn't just be a mouthwatering step towards human health – it would help save gentle animals from being reduced to body parts," Carr wrote.

PETA also drew parallels between processed meats and substances like cigarettes and asbestos, noting that regular consumption of processed meat has been linked to an increased risk of colorectal cancer. The organization released a short horror film titled 'Hamface' in conjunction with its letter, aiming to draw attention to the issue.

Lawson's 'Ham in Coca-Cola' recipe, first published in her 2001 book 'Nigella Bites,' involves simmering a gammon joint in Coca-Cola before glazing and baking it. The recipe has gained a significant following among home cooks, with many sharing their successful attempts online.

This intervention is part of PETA's broader campaign to encourage plant-based diets, which has previously included advocating for dictionary definitions of materials like 'wool' to encompass vegan alternatives. A spokesperson for Lawson declined to comment on PETA's request. The cook, known for her indulgent recipes, has previously featured vegetarian and vegan dishes alongside her meat-based favorites, but there has been no indication she plans to modify her signature ham recipe.