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.
California Foie Gras Ban Still Stands
Some foie gras producers and restaurateurs tried to block enforcement of California’s ban on force-feeding ducks, but a federal court ruled against them.
Learn MoreNews & Events
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September 19, 2012
Judge Rules to Keep California Ban on Force Feeding Ducks in Effect
A federal court in Los Angeles denied a group of restaurants and foie gras producers’ motion to block enforcement of California’s ban on force feeding ducks to produce foie gras.
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June 25, 2012
Grupos de protección animal celebran ley para prohibir alimentación forzada de patos en California
Organizaciones de protección animal están celebrando la aplicación de la tan esperada ley de California—aprobada hace más de siete años—que prohíbe la alimentación forzada de patos, así como la venta de foie gras producido a través de la alimentación forzada.
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May 2, 2012
The Humane Society of the United States Praises California Lawmakers for Upholding Ban on Foie Gras
The Humane Society of the United States applauds Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg and Assembly Speaker John Perez for making it clear that California’s Legislature will not repeal or weaken the state’s ban on the sale of foie gras if it is produced by force feeding of the animals.
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May 1, 2012
Animal Protection Groups Oppose Attempt to Gut Calif. Ban on Cruel Force-Feeding of Ducks
Animal protection organizations are calling on California legislators to reject an eleventh hour attempt to gut an animal protection law passed in 2004 banning the force-feeding of ducks and geese as well as the sale of foie gras which is set to take effect this July.
Our Victories
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May 16, 2013
Congressional Votes on Farm Bill Bring Good News, Bad News for Animals
The U.S. House Committee on Agriculture, in taking up the Farm Bill yesterday, approved an amendment to crackdown on spectators at animal fighting ventures, but also approved a destructive, constitutionally questionable amendment to strip states of their right to protect farm animals and other animals from exploitation and abuse.
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May 13, 2013
New Jersey Legislature Overwhelmingly Passes Bill to Protect Pigs
The New Jersey legislature has voted by landslide margins to ban the extreme confinement of breeding pigs in crates so small, they prevent the animals from even turning around for nearly their entire lives. The vote earned applause from The Humane Society of the United States, Farm Sanctuary, Mercy For Animals and the ASPCA.
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May 13, 2013
Tenn. Governor Haslam Vetoes Anti-Whistleblower Bill
Gov. Bill Haslam vetoed the anti-whistleblower “ag-gag” bill, SB 1248/HB 1191, after hearing from thousands of Tennesseans urging the veto and a report deeming the bill constitutionally suspect by the Tennessee Attorney General.
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May 3, 2013
Timeline of Major Farm Animal Protection Advancements
Get a snapshot of The HSUS's advancements for farm animals over the last decade.
