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Emeril Lagasse "Bam-Boozles" Viewers Into Thinking That Foie Gras Isn't Cruel

Compassionate Viewers Voice Concern over Emeril's Promotion of Foie Gras

Watkins Glen, NY - September 29, 2006 - Farm Sanctuary, the nation's leading farm animal protection organization, has written Emeril Lagasse and the Food Network expressing concerns over Emeril's promotion of foie gras in a recent episode of "The Essence of Emeril" show on September 26.

Foie gras is the product of such extreme animal cruelty that its production has been banned in 14 European countries and the nation of Israel, as well as in the state of California, and now in the City of Chicago. According to a Zogby poll, 80% of Americans, when educated about foie gras production, favor a ban.

"As a matter of conscience, any mention of foie gras should address the cruelty involved in the making of this food item," said Gene Baur (formerly Bauston), president and co-founder of Farm Sanctuary. "We're disappointed that Emeril would promote foie gras and mischaracterize methods used in its production."

Foie gras (translated from French as "fatty liver") is produced by force-feeding ducks and geese two or three times each day through a pipe shoved down their throats. The force-feeding can cause painful bruising, lacerations, sores, and even organ rupture. Due to this unhealthy and unnatural diet, the birds' livers become diseased and can swell up to 10 times their normal size, making it difficult for the birds to walk or even breathe, and many suffer a slow death before reaching slaughter. Experts assert the practice is abusive and cruel, and examinations of birds following slaughter reveal ruptured esophagi and livers, grossly swollen and discolored livers, and a host of internal and external infections.

Farm Sanctuary is urging Emeril to stop promoting this cruel and unnecessary product. Bauston continued, "We believe his fans will appreciate his talent and creativity more if he refrains from using ingredients that involve the torture of animals. After all, any chef worth his salt would have the creativity in mind to do this. The chefs at Spiaggia and other restaurants in Chicago, where the sale of foie gras has been banned, have managed to make 'faux' gras, which has food critics swooning."

About Farm Sanctuary
Farm Sanctuary is the nation's leading farm animal protection organization. Since incorporating in 1986, Farm Sanctuary has worked to expose and stop cruel practices of the "food animal" industry through research and investigations, legal and institutional reforms, public awareness projects, youth education, and direct rescue and refuge efforts. Farm Sanctuary shelters in Watkins Glen, N.Y., and Orland, Calif., provide lifelong care for hundreds of rescued animals, who have become ambassadors for farm animals everywhere by educating visitors about the realities of factory farming. Additional information can be found at www.farmsanctuary.org or by calling 607-583-2225.