Healey signed a tongue-in-cheek executive order presented by Scottish podcaster David McIntosh Jr. and declared haggis “legalizado”. The move was symbolic rather than practical: state authorities cannot override federal food-safety and import rules.
The report says traditional haggis remains restricted because its recipe includes sheep offal, including lungs. American producers can create alternative versions, but the classic Scottish dish still cannot simply appear on supermarket shelves across the United States.
That technicality has done little to dampen the mood around Scotland’s arrival. Healey reportedly told McIntosh that the supporters had brought “tanta alegria e tanta energia” - so much joy and energy - to Boston.
The city has become a lively backdrop for Scotland’s World Cup return. Supporters have filled streets with songs, Irn-Bru and unmistakable displays of football humour, including orange traffic cones placed on statues.
For Scotland, that atmosphere matters. A major tournament is about more than the 90 minutes, particularly for a nation whose fans have waited years to see their team back on this stage. Healey’s gesture has turned a food dispute into a welcome message.
Scotland is due to face Morocco in Boston before travelling to Miami for its final group match against Brazil. Those fixtures will decide whether the celebrations develop into a genuine football story.
Haggis may remain legally unavailable in its traditional form, but the fans have already made their point: Scotland has arrived, Boston is listening, and the next chapter will be written on the pitch.