According to Britannica, haggis is the national dish of Scotland. It is a savory pudding made with a mixture of sheep liver, heart, lungs, beef or mutton suet, oatmeal, and spices. It is put into a sheep's stomach and boiled before it is served. It looks about as appealing as it sounds, often a gray or dark color. According to Scottish Gourmet USA, it is traditionally served with mashed potatoes and yellow turnips. It is an important part of Scottish cuisine. But since 1971, American Scots have endured their haggis without lungs. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) deemed animal lungs a foodborne-illness risk, as the agency feared that gastrointestinal fluid might leak into the organ during slaughter and processing, per The New York Times.
This does not mean that haggis no longer exists in the United States. On the contrary, haggis can be ordered online and found in specialty shops. But you won't find lung on the ingredient list nor can you import it from the U.K. Critics of the ban claim that, without the organ, the texture is all wrong and that lung creates lightness in the dish, per the BBC. Of course, some people take matters into their own hands and butcher animals to use whatever parts they need. Yes, when it comes to tradition, people will go to great lengths to honor their heritage. And while you may not be ready to be your own butcher, it's worth exploring more nose-to-tail eating.
The Ingredient That Got Haggis Banned In The US - Tasting Table
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