M&S review packaging of haggis “en croute” sold under British flag

MARKS and Spencer is reviewing packaging on one of its haggis products, after furious shoppers slammed the decision to sell the Scottish dish under a British flag.

Angry customers also accused M&S of “cultural misappropriation” over the “Haggis Neeps and Tatties en Croute”, due to the addition of French pastry to the traditional Scots meal.

The furor erupted after an image of the £4 meal was posted online by Twitter user Alan Ferrier on Saturday.

Sharing a snap of the dish, Alan wrote: “This is not just trolling. This is M&S trolling.”

The image shows the meal with a British flag emblazoned on the side of the packaging.

M&S describe their take on the historical dinner as: “A tasty twist on a Burns supper classic, our new haggis en croute comes topped with a sweet carrot, turnip and potato mash, wrapped in a flaky filo pastry.

“The dish serves two and is served with a creamy whisky sauce.”

The classic Scottish dish is commonly eaten on Burns night as part of celebrations and was released earlier this year for the occasion.
However, the dish is not traditionally served en croute, which is why it is believed that this has caused outrage among some users.

The controversial meal has sparked a backlash online.

@JeniferHarkin3 wrote: “En Croute? For f*** sake, so it’s like a pastie?”

@Lal_Mackenzie added: “Depressing, but predictable”.

@Harrymc76294992 commented: “Boycott this shop now”.

@Bromleybill said: “Ultimate cultural misappropriation”.

And @Garnethill wrote: “Technically, putting the butchers apron to one side, it should read, “Haggis, pommes de terre et navet en croute”.

“So M&S are mis-labelling Scotland’s national dish as British by flinging on some puff pastry? Quality”.

However, other users were less bothered about the product.

@Lou_Bookmarks wrote: “The childish, xenophobic behaviour on this page is outrageous! No one is forcing it down your throat. No one is changing how haggis is either”.

“This is just a wee change for choice. I had not realised so many Scots were so stuck in eating the same ingredients in one form!”

@Nible_pumpkin further defended M&S by saying: “Grow up, you’re part of the union for now, anyway.”

“Give the whole country the vote in the next Independence referendum and we will gladly vote for you all to s** off.”

A spokesman for M&S said: ” We will review the packaging”.

However, it is not the first time M&S have caused controversy over the use of a flag on products.

In May 2018, M&S were at the center of outrage again after labeling Scotch Whisky as British produce.

Documents then revealed that the Scottish government called the supermarket chain to “Seek clarity on the situation”.

Then Prime Minister Theresa May said at the time: “I think it is frankly appalling that the Scottish government did not want to see the Union Flag and the word British on produce”.