Foie gras, which translates to “fatty liver,” is widely opposed due to the brutal way in which it is produced: force-feeding ducks or geese through a tube forced down their throats until their livers become diseased and swollen. 

Portland’s foie gras ban takes effect on December 1, 2026, and violators may face fines of up to $5,000. Farm Sanctuary applauds this promising step for birds, which follows years of campaigning by animal advocates—and closely follows a victory in New York this March, when a court ruling upheld New York City’s ban.

For decades, Farm Sanctuary has been at the forefront of the movement to end the sale and production of foie gras, and raise awareness of the cruelty of this “delicacy” made from violence. In 2004, we sponsored the law that made California the first U.S. state to ban foie gras. In 2019, our President & Co-founder, Gene Baur, testified in support of the New York City ban, saying, “Foie gras has no place in a society that values compassion.”

Thankfully, most consumers are indeed concerned about how ducks and geese are treated and will not eat foie gras. A February 2026 study across 10 U.S. states revealed that 81% of consumers have never ordered foie gras from restaurants, while 92% have never purchased it in stores. The vast majority, 94%, agreed with the statement that “force feeding causes unnecessary suffering,” and 81% supported bans on foie gras sales.

Farm Sanctuary continues to support legislation to ban the production and sale of foie gras in Rhode Island. By working alongside lawmakers, advocates, and concerned residents, we are pushing for policies that reflect Rhode Islanders’ commitment to compassion. This year, 5x more Rhode Island residents submitted written testimony than in 2025. 

Let’s celebrate the recent progress ending the sale of this cruel dish in New York and Portland, while continuing to speak out on behalf of birds across the country. Sign up for Farm Sanctuary emails to receive timely action alerts as we take the next steps in fighting foie gras.