Foie gras production through force-feeding causes documented welfare harm in ducks and geese, and alternatives including natural fatty liver products are emerging in some markets.
The scientific evidence for welfare harm from conventional foie gras production is substantial. Esophageal inflammation, hepatic encephalopathy signs, and mobility impairment during the force-feeding period are consistently documented across production systems. The industry argument that migratory birds naturally develop fatty liver is accurate but does not address the evidence that force-feeding extends this process far beyond natural levels and causes tissue damage. Natural foie gras alternatives, where geese are allowed to voluntarily consume as much grain as desired before a migratory period, produce genuine fatty liver without force-feeding, offering a welfare-superior alternative for restaurants and consumers seeking the product.