Force-feeding of geese for foie gras production causes liver disease and suffering that has led to widespread bans.
Foie gras production through force-feeding (gavage) causes hepatic lipidosis — a pathological liver enlargement that is, by definition, a disease state. The procedure itself — inserting a tube into the esophagus multiple times daily — causes fear, pain, and esophageal damage. Legislative bans in numerous countries reflect scientific and public consensus that the welfare costs of foie gras production cannot be justified by its culinary value. Gavage-free alternatives in development — where geese voluntarily overeat before migration — may eventually provide a welfare-compatible product.