Foie gras production involves force-feeding geese and ducks to enlarge their livers, causing suffering that has led to bans in many countries.
Gavage force-feeding causes physical and psychological suffering. Birds show increased fear responses to human approach as force-feeding approaches. The enlarged liver impairs normal movement and causes metabolic stress. Esophageal tissue is damaged by repeated gavage tube insertion. Birds have their natural feeding behavior completely overridden by mechanical force-feeding. This is widely considered one of the most inhumane practices in food production and has been banned in many jurisdictions.