Foie gras production through force-feeding ducks and geese remains legal in several countries despite veterinary consensus that the practice causes significant pain and compromises animal welfare.
Force-feeding for foie gras production is one of the most clearly documented cases of intentionally inflicted animal suffering in modern food production. The gavage process causes acute distress, esophageal damage, hepatic lipidosis beyond normal metabolic compensation and locomotion difficulties from abnormal liver enlargement pressing on surrounding organs. Ducks confined in small individual cages or pens during feeding periods cannot exercise or engage in normal behaviors. Mortality rates during force-feeding periods significantly exceed those in non-gavage duck production. The scientific and veterinary consensus that this practice is incompatible with acceptable welfare standards has been clear for over two decades, yet production continues at scale in countries that have not enacted bans.