Clive Beddall, Boston
American shoppers' fears about the safety of British food in the wake of the foot and mouth crisis are diminishing. And Tony Blair's backing for the US bombing raids on Afghanistan is bringing a reciprocal barrage of support for UK food and drink from grateful US citizens.
That became clear this week when, for the third time this year, The Grocer conducted a straw poll among American consumers about their attitudes to British food.
But unlike the previous polls, where there was widespread anxiety among shoppers following the graphic tv pictures of animal funeral pyres during FMD, those we interviewed at supermarkets in New England mostly dismissed foot and mouth fears.
Typical of the comments made by the 20 respondents in our impromptu poll was one from Art Simone, a restaurant waiter, who said: "I didn't understand hoof and mouth disease until it was explained to me. So I was scared of anything British.
"But now I would not have no problem eating any British meat. And your jams and cookies are brilliant. I'm gonna try and buy British as a thank you for the brilliant way Tony Blair has stood alongside our president in the terrorism crisis."
Artist Libby Lowe said: "I ate roast lamb during a recent visit to Scotland and it was wonderful. I'll be checking out more British food in our stores."
Secretary Libby Gelson said:"We owe it to the Brits to buy their goods in view of the great support they have shown us since September 11. So I'm looking for UK food and drink on our market shelves. You should ship more of it across the Atlantic"
Boston school administrator Olga Mahoney said: "It's a pity so much British food is bland.
"But I love your tea and biscuits and I'm buying more of them whenever I can."
Postal worker Andrew Bernazzanin said: "I read UK food and drink magazines, so I can finally understand what is going on with FMD after big fears earlier this year.
"If British meat came into the States I would certainly buy it. But why don't you send us more sausages and plum pudding? They're a wow."
Software sales executive Dan McGilliverary said: "I've shopped your grocery stores but I still find much British food is too bland. And I guess I still have reservations about your meat following FMD."
Housewife Mary Fimmendolia, said: "I'm not bothered about hoof and mouth, and your jellies and jams are terrific."
And teacher Saha Karman, a Ukrainian, said: "I eat everyone's food. I have no problem with British goods. Let's have more of them over here."
Steve Dawson, president of Food From Britain North America said on Wednesday: "The reaction of US consumers in you poll doesn't surprise me.They are putting the issues of foot and mouth and BSE into proper context.
"However, Tony Blair's immediate and positive offers of support after the events of September 11 touched all US citizens. He has been a tremendous boost to everyone here.
"He came over as a forthright and resolute man who has stood shoulder to shoulder with George W. Bush."
Speaking to The Grocer from the PLMA Show in Chicago where he was hosting a UK pavilion, Dawson said visitors to the fair had also"acted positively towards British food and drink".
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