Foie gras production through force-feeding causes acute and chronic welfare harm and has been banned in many countries while remaining controversial globally.
Foie gras production represents one of the clearest examples of a practice causing welfare harm solely for a luxury product. Force-feeding involves repeated mechanical insertion of feed into the esophagus, causing esophageal damage, hepatic lipidosis, and the respiratory distress of birds whose enlarged livers compress other organs. The birds are physically unable to perform normal behaviors and show signs of aversion to the feeding process. The product is prohibited in many countries, banned in some US states, and avoided by many consumers who become aware of its production method. Transitional alternatives exist for producers willing to change methods.