Foie gras production through force-feeding of ducks and geese is among the most contested animal agriculture practices globally, banned in over 20 countries but still legal in major producing nations.
The welfare evidence against foie gras production is among the strongest available for any agricultural practice. The deliberate induction of hepatic steatosis (fatty liver disease) through force-feeding causes organ dysfunction, respiratory distress, mobility impairment, and physical injury from gavage. Ducks show measurable aversion to the feeding process in well-designed preference tests. The natural gorging argument fails because the managed gavage process far exceeds natural intake rates and uses physical restraint. Consumer boycotts and retailer bans have dramatically reduced the market in many countries, demonstrating effective welfare-through-market-change.