Haggis Ban Lifted After 21 Years*
Travel Blog • Eva Holland • 01.26.10 | 1:32 PM ET
The sheep offal delight had been banned in the United States since the ‘80s due to BSE fears, but now Scotland’s most famous dish is back on the American dinner table. (Via Andrew Sullivan)
Update 3:01 p.m. PT: Sorry, haggis fans. A representative from the Department of Agriculture writes, “At this time, haggis is still banned in the U.S. The APHIS rule covers all ruminant imports, which includes haggis. It is currently being reviewed to incorporate the current risk and latest science related to these regulations. There is no specific time frame for the completion of this review.”
Nadia Arumugam 01.27.10 | 10:32 AM ET
If the ban is removed it would be interesting to see how American manufacturers of haggis fare when the real Scottish stuff floods the US market. Did you know that the American made haggis lacks a vital authentic ingredient- Sheep’s lungs? It’s because sheep’s lungs are banned in the US as a food source.
Read more about this in the article “The Haggis Wars: Could A Scottish Invasion Signal The End of American Haggis?” at http://www.trueslant.com/nadiaarumugam
World Hotel Chains 01.27.10 | 2:39 PM ET
I’m writing a magazine article on winter British food and was wondering if anyone had any opinions on a pub or restaurant (preferably in Scotland!) where they had a nice haggis?
Thanks.
John Laurence 02.04.10 | 2:38 PM ET
Living in Scotland as a child and visiting several times since. I am a big fan of haggis. One of the best places to find a traditional Haggis is Crombies of Edinburgh. The staff is helpful, freindly and often humorous. Although Haggis is available in some Pubs and restaurants, it is not as easy to find as one may think. The time and effort required to make Haggis is not something a resturant kitchen would want to take on. Crombies is most likley one of the sources for much of the Haggis served in the city and surrounding areas. It’s interesting to me that sheeps lungs are the reason Haggis is banned here in the US. Have you ever taken a close look through a Chinese grocery store in Chinatown?
Marie Cruickshank 03.04.10 | 1:59 PM ET
Hi - I live in Nairn in the Scottish Highlands and the Cruickshank family butchers (husband’s family) in Fochabers make a “World Class” award winning Haggis.
It is delicious on toast topped with a “nip” of whisky!! Is good in winter and good for cold snowy weather if you saw the NASA photo of the UK covered in snow—” cut off” from the world but kept warm by haggis and whisky!!!
If you are “black pudding” fans - the Stornoway black pudding is delicious!