New haggis product from Mash Direct for Burns Night

Mash Direct, the Northern Irish specialist in convenience meals and side dishes, has launched a new haggis product in time for the traditional Burns Night celebrations.

The company, based on the Hamilton family farm at Comber in county Down, says the new 'Burns Bites' - Haggis, Neeps (mashed turnip/swede) and Tatties (mashed potato) dish is in response to "a significant increase in the number of people celebrating Burns Night and hosting their own Burns Night Suppers".

While there were a number of Burns Night products currently on the market, these were mainly sold as individual products making up the components of a Burns Night Supper.

The company launched its own 'Neeps and Tatties' side in 2006.

The new ' Burns Bites' - just in time for Burns Night - celebrates the flavours of the occasion, bringing together their award-winning Neeps and Tatties with traditional Scottish haggis. These are coated in a crispy, gluten-free crumb which is "a unique offering as there are no other products like this available in the marketplace".

Lance Hamilton, sales director at Mash Direct, says: "Innovation is the lifeblood of the company. This year we decided to innovate new products for the Burns Night period following an increase in the number of consumers celebrating Burns Night throughout Scotland and other parts of the UK. We are excited to launch our new Burns Bites to the market. We hope everyone has a great Burns Night."

Mash Direct 'Burns Bites and Neeps & Tatties' can be found in Tesco Scotland, Morrison's Scotland, Nisa Scotland and Independents throughout Scotland.

Mash Direct recently reported a significant rise in pre-tax profits on turnover of around £16 million. The company, owned by Martin and Tracy Hamilton and their sons Lance and Jack, won the Food Manufacture Excellence Award last year as well as the SIAL Middle East Gold Award for Innovation at the international exhibition in Abu Dhabi.

It has also won a string of UK Great Taste Awards and Blas na hEireann awards for its products, most of which are sourced from its own or neighbouring farms in county Down.

Pic: Lance Hamilton, Mash Direct.