Burns Night is Scotland’s annual celebration of the life and work of Scottish bard Robert Burns, who was born on 25 January 1759.
Scots around the world traditionally celebrate with a Burns supper, which usually includes Scotch whisky and plenty of recitals of Robert Burns' work. And right at the centre of these merriments is the humble haggis.
However, Scottish-Americans have previously been missing out on this time-honoured tradition, since haggis was banned in the US in 1971 – after it was declared that one of its ingredients, sheep lung, was not fit for human consumption. But now, Scotland's largest haggis maker is creating a 'compliant' version in a twist that could see haggis back on American supermarket shelves.
- Burns Night: what and when it is, and how to celebrate this Scottish tradition
- Burns Night recipes from Scotland's favourite cook
What is haggis?
Haggis is a traditional Scottish dish, often described as a savoury pudding, that is made from sheep's offal (including liver, heart, and lungs), mixed oats, suet, onion, spices and stock. It's cooked while traditionally encased in a sheep's stomach, although an artificial casing is usually used today. Haggis is traditionally served with neeps (swedes) and tatties (potatoes).
Why is haggis banned in the US?
Traditional haggis is currently illegal in the US and has been since 1971, as sheep lung is banned from human consumption. Haggis usually contains around 15% sheep lung. People living in the US cannot export traditional haggis in Scotland or make it themselves.
Why is sheep's lung banned?
Sheep's lung is banned for human consumption in the US due to contamination concerns. Fluids such as stomach acid may enter the animal's lungs during slaughter, and if this isn't spotted and removed at during the manufacturing process, it could cause pathogens to spread. More recently, concerns have been raised about environmental contaminants in animal lungs, although no studies have looked at this. Lung meat is however allowed in pet food in the US.
Could haggis return to the US?
Scotland's largest haggis maker, Macsween of Edinburgh, has announced plans to create a 'compliant' version of haggis to be sold in the US. The company will replace sheep lung with sheep heart, according to The Telegraph.
Sheep lung is widely thought to improve the texture of haggis, so when it comes to this vital ingredient swap, the proof really will be in the pudding. Macsween of Edinburgh is currently testing the product and hopes to launch it in January 2026.
Unusual haggis facts
The world’s largest haggis was made in 2014 by traditional Scottish recipe makers Hall’s of Scotland. It weighed 1,000kg, as heavy as a small car – or a very large cow.
Haggis hurling is a sport. According to the Guinness World Records, Lorne Coltart from Perthshire holds the record, throwing a haggis 66m in 2011 at the Bearsden and Milngavie Highland Games.
According to a poll conducted by the Guardian in 2003, a third of US visitors to Scotland believe haggis to be an animal. While this is more myth than reality, Edinburgh Zoo named a pygmy hippo, born in 2024, Haggis.
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