A Hastings Muslim plans to sue a pizza company for the cost of a trip to Mecca after his family unwittingly ate pizza containing bacon.
Muslims are forbidden to eat pork or bacon, and can eat chicken, lamb and beef only if it is killed in accordance with the Ha-lalrules of their religion.
Mohammed Sameem, who owns a dairy in Oliphant Road, was outraged to find bacon pieces in two vegetarian pizzas delivered by Pizza Haven on Friday.
"We had eaten half of the pizza and we didn't even know there was bacon in there underneath the cheese," Mr Sameem said.
"My mother found something in her mouth and we had to vomit.
"We are supposed to stay 40 yards away from pig or bacon."
Mr Sameem says he, his wife, mother, stepfather and step-sister will have to travel to Mecca — the Muslim holy city in Saudi Arabia — to seek forgiveness for their unwitting sin.
"We've broken one of the big ones. We are not purified now."
Mr Sameem said he would seek compensation for travel costs.
"We trust vegetarian means vegetarian. I will take this up at my own cost because it's not going away lightly. No way."
Mr Sameem said the restaurant had offered to replace the pizzas, but he was not satisfied.
"They have played with my religion and I am not happy."
Pizza Haven area business development manager Ian Thomson today confirmed the company was investigating.
The restaurant manager, who made the pizzas himself, had "apologised profusely" to the customer and offered a refund or replacement pizza, Mr Thomson said.
The Hastings outlet had received no previous complaints about meat in vegetarian pizzas. Possible causes could have been bacon on cutters or falling into the pan.
Mr Thomson said he could not comment on the legal threats until it was known what action would be taken.
