Ducks and geese used for foie gras can be force-fed through tubes until their livers become painfully diseased and swollen far beyond a healthy size. Portland, Oregon, has now approved a ban on selling foie gras made from force-fed birds, a win for animals who should never be treated as luxury food products.
Portland city councilors voted 7-5 on June 4 to ban the sale of foie gras, a dish traditionally made by force-feeding ducks or geese, according to OPB. The ordinance will take effect toward the end of the year, giving restaurants, grocery stores, and other affected businesses time to transition.
The official ordinance indicates that foie gras is usually produced by repeatedly force-feeding ducks or geese until their livers become diseased and enlarge up to 10 times their normal size. It also notes that force-feeding can cause serious injury and illness, including infections, malnourishment, and lameness.
Portland’s findings also point to public health and environmental concerns, including avian influenza risks, high water and energy use, pollution, and the city’s interest in supporting animal welfare and environmental stewardship.
Under the policy, enforcement will be complaint-driven. If the city confirms a business is selling force-fed poultry products, OPB reported that the business could face fines ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 per violation, though a business can avoid fines by stopping sales within two weeks of receiving a warning.
Some Portland restaurant voices opposed the ban, but supporters argued the policy reflects humane treatment of animals and sustainable food values. OPB reported that the ban is expected to affect roughly 10 Portland businesses.
Portland joins a growing list of places moving away from foie gras made through force-feeding. OPB reported that California, Pittsburgh, and Brookline, Massachusetts, have recently approved similar bans, while New York City’s 2019 ban faced legal delays before enforcement began earlier this year. Lady Freethinker previously reported on Pittsburgh’s foie gras ban as part of this broader shift.
No meal is worth forcing birds to suffer with a diseased liver. Lady Freethinker applauds Portland for taking action against foie gras made from force-fed birds and urges more cities to reject cruelty disguised as cuisine.
