Foie gras (French for “fatty liver”) is the product of extreme animal cruelty. Factory farms produce it by force feeding ducks so much that their livers become diseased and enlarged. This causes a tremendous amount of suffering and can make it difficult for the birds to walk and breathe normally.
Few people would want to eat any part of a diseased animal, but in the case of foie gras, consumers eat the diseased organ itself.
Foie gras producers shove pipes down ducks’ throats to force feed them far more than they would ever eat. The force feeding can cause bruises, lacerations, and sores. The duck’s livers may grow to ten times the normal size.
Some foie gras factory farms cram birds into small, filthy cages where they can’t turn around or spread their wings.
More than a dozen countries have prohibited foie gras production. Wolfgang Puck doesn’t use foie gras, and many restaurants have removed it from their menus.
Animal Welfare Invited to Wolfgang Puck's Table
Wolfgang Puck pulled foie gras off his menus and made other changes to help farm animals.
Learn MoreNews & Events
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April 2, 2009
HSUS Statement on Removal of Foie Gras from Mayor Newsom's Restaurants
Paul Shapiro, senior director of The Humane Society of the United States' factory farming campaign, released the following statement regarding all eight of Mayor Gavin Newsom's PlumpJack restaurants removing foie gras from their menus: "The Humane Society of the United States commends the Board of Supervisors for passing its resolution opposing foie gras,
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February 10, 2009
International Journal of Food Safety, Nutrition and Public Health Article Points to Foie Gras as Public Health Risk
A new article in the International Journal of Food Safety, Nutrition and Public Health further implicates foie gras as a potential public health menace.
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January 26, 2009
National Advertising Division of the Better Business Bureau Examines Foie Gras Advertising
The National Advertising Division of the Council of Better Business Bureaus has recommended that D'Artagnan Inc. discontinue certain advertising claims made for the company's Artisan foie gras.
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March 4, 2008
Md. Senate Committee to Hold Hearing on Foie Gras
The Maryland State Senate Education, Health and Environmental Affairs Committee will hold a hearing today on S.B. 599, which prohibits the force-feeding of birds for the production of foie gras and the sale of foie gras produced by force-feeding.
Our Victories
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February 18, 2010
Wal-Mart: Private Label Eggs All Cage-Free
Wal-Mart's private label eggs are cage-free, prompting The HSUS to withdraw a shareholder resolution calling on the company to disclose its progress moving toward cage-free eggs.
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December 29, 2009
2009: A Banner Year for Animals
The HSUS reflects on some major achievements for animal protection in 2009. Countless animals have been rescued from harm, spared from suffering and guaranteed basic standards of humane treatment.
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December 16, 2009
The HSUS Recognizes Top 12 State Legislative Achievements in Animal Protection
The HSUS celebrates the top 12 state legislative achievements in animal protection in 2009.
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December 14, 2009
Encouraging News from IHOP
IHOP agreed to begin testing the use of cage-free eggs