California’s Foie Gras Ban Struck Down
7th January 2015
California lawmakers approved the law in 2004, but it wasn’t until 2012 when it took effect. It requires the state to “prohibit a person from force-feeding a bird for the purpose of enlarging the bird’s liver beyond a normal size” and bans sales of out-of-state foie gras. While vendors faced fines of up to $1,000, residents were still allowed to possess the delicacy and eat it.
Two out-of-state foie gras producers, and a California restaurant that was forced to gut foie gras dishes from its menu, sued the Golden State to get it overturned.
In his ruling, U.S. District Judge Stephen V. Wilson held that the foie gras ban was preempted by a federal law regulating the distribution and sale of poultry products.