Now woke scientists want Nigella Lawson to change her famous Ham in Coca-Cola recipe…for a vegan alternative

It's best known for its campaigns against fur fashion and animal testing, but PETA has now set its sights on an unlikely new target – one of Nigella Lawson's most beloved recipes.The cook, who recently joined The Great British Bake Off as a judge, is renowned for her famous Ham in Coca-Cola recipe.It has long been a favourite among home cooks and features a gammon joint gently simmered in the fizzy drink before being glazed and baked.But activists are now urging Nigella to ditch the pork and replace it with a vegan alternative.In a letter to the cook, PETA vice president Dawn Carr said: 'Pigs are intelligent, emotionally complex individuals. They use a range of sounds to communicate, can learn to play computer games and will comfort their friends who are feeling anguished or stressed.'Despite pigs being playful and clever, they're tortured for meat.'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.' Nigella, who recently joined The Great British Bake Off as a judge, is renowned for her famous Ham in Coca-Cola recipe. Pictured: A scene from her Nigella Bites series, showing how to cook the dishThe recipe has long been a favourite among home cooks and features a gammon joint gently simmered in the fizzy drinkOn her website, Nigella describes the dish as one that wins over even the most sceptical diners.'Only those who have never tried this raise an eyebrow at the idea,' she writes.'Don't hesitate, don't be anxious: this really works. 'No one who cooks it, cooks it just once: it always earns a place in every repertoire.'But campaigners say the recipe should now be updated to reflect growing concerns about animal welfare and health.In its letter, PETA compares processed meat to cigarettes and asbestos, warning that consumers should be wary of bringing products such as ham and bacon into their kitchens.It notes that regularly consuming processed meat has been linked to an increased risk of colorectal cancer.Activists also used the letter to draw attention to conditions endured by pigs raised for meat. In conjunction with its letter, PETA has released a Halloween-inspired dramatic short horror film called Hamface'From birth, they're subject to painful mutilations like castration and tail removal without pain relief, are intensively bred, confined to filthy, dark and crowded sheds, and have their throats cut at just six months old,' Ms Carr added. The Ham in Coca-Cola recipe, first published in Nigella Bites in 2001, has become popular among online foodies in recent years.One woman shared her attempt on Instagram, adding: 'We have used Nigella Lawson's recipe for probably 15 years in my family. It never fails.'Another added: 'I make Nigella's Coca Cola Ham every single year and now I have fully been converted.'In conjunction with its letter, PETA has released a Halloween-inspired dramatic short horror film called Hamface.In it, a terrifying pig-like monster stalks a family around their home as they run away screaming and try to hide.'We'd love to see you break the curse of Hamface by creating a sumptuous vegan version of your iconic Ham in Coca-Cola recipe,' PETA wrote in its letter. PETA compares processed meat to cigarettes and asbestos, warning that consumers should be wary of bringing products such as ham and bacon into their kitchensThe intervention is the latest in a long line of headline-grabbing campaigns from the animal rights organisation.PETA regularly targets celebrities, restaurants and food brands in its efforts to encourage people to adopt plant-based diets.Earlier this year, the organisation asked the Oxford English Dictionary to update its definition of 'wool' to include plant-based alternatives.Nigella, 66, is known for her indulgent recipes and has previously published a range of vegetarian and vegan dishes alongside her meat-based favourites.However, there is no indication she plans to alter the recipe that has become one of her culinary trademarks.A spokesman for the cook declined to comment on PETA's request.