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Duck Yeah! New York City's Foie Gras Ban Is Here to Stay

Today, we won.

After years of legal battles, organizing, and refusing to back down, New York City’s ban on the sale of foie gras has been upheld by the state’s Appellate Division — and we couldn’t be prouder of every single person who made this moment possible. VFAR is a proposed intervenor-appellant and an amicus curiae in the case. We are grateful to our attorney, Bryan Pease, Esq.

How We Got Here

In 2019, the New York City Council passed Intro 1378 — now known as Local Law 202 — championed by former Council Member Carlina Rivera and lead by Voters For Animal Rights and more than 50 nonprofit coalition partners. With 81 percent of New York City voters backing the ban, the message from New Yorkers was unambiguous: cruelty has no place on our plates.

The law, signed by former Mayor Bill de Blasio, was supposed to take effect in 2022. But upstate foie gras producers Hudson Valley Foie Gras and La Belle Farm had other ideas, filing legal challenges that kept the ban tied up in the courts for years. Today, the Appellate Division put an end to that delay, ruling that New York City’s right to govern itself cannot be overridden by the state’s agriculture industry lobby. Violators of the law will now face fines of up to $2,000 per violation.

“Voters For Animal Rights is overjoyed with this historic victory for animals and grateful that New York City’s right to govern itself remains intact,” said Allie Taylor, President of Voters For Animal Rights (VFAR). “Today’s ruling not only upholds the city’s ability to make decisions in the best interest of its residents, human and nonhuman alike, but also shows the power of citizens coming together for justice and compassion. This is a momentous step forward in creating a kinder, more humane world, and it proves that meaningful change is possible when people refuse to accept cruelty as the status quo.”

What Exactly Is Foie Gras — And Why Did We Fight So Hard to Ban It?

Foie gras — French for “fatty liver” — is produced by force-feeding ducks and geese through a metal pipe shoved down their throats, multiple times a day, for weeks on end. The sole purpose is to cause the bird’s liver to balloon to up to ten times its natural size.

This process, called gavage, is as brutal as it sounds. Birds endure injuries to their throats and digestive tracts, struggle to support their own body weight, and are kept in conditions of severe confinement. Many don’t survive to slaughter. It is not a delicacy — it is institutionalized cruelty dressed up in a French accent, and New York City has said enough.

What To Do If You See Foie Gras on a NYC Menu

The law is in effect, which means any restaurant or retailer in New York City selling foie gras or force-fed products is breaking the law right now. Here’s how you can help enforce it:

  • Document it. Photograph the menu item or product and note the establishment’s name, address, and the date.

  • Report it. Call 311 or file a complaint through the NYC 311 website with the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. You can also flag it directly to VFAR by emailing us at woof@vfar.org. We are actively tracking compliance and want to hear from you.

  • Say something. A calm, polite word to the manager can go a long way. Some establishments may simply not have updated their menus yet.

Enforcement works when the community is paying attention—and we know our community is.

Want to Bring This Fight to Your City?

NYC didn’t get here by accident. This victory was built one conversation, one vote, one phone call at a time. If you want to see foie gras banned where you live, here’s how to start:

  • Call your representatives. Ask your city council member or state legislator to introduce similar legislation where you live. Your voice carries more weight than you think.

  • Find your coalition. Connect with local animal protection groups, humane restaurants, and community organizations. Movements are built on relationships.

  • Make noise online and off. The more people understand what foie gras actually is, the less appetite there is for it—literally and politically.

  • Support the organizations doing the work. VFAR and our partners are fighting these battles in cities and statehouses across the country. Follow us, share our content, donate if you can, and stay in the fight.

Today belongs to every activist, volunteer, and compassionate New Yorker who refused to give up. Now let’s take this energy and bring it everywhere.

The ducks won today. Let’s make sure it doesn’t stop here. Donate today to support VFAR’s work to pass animal rights laws and stop animal cruelty at its source.

For media inquiries, please contact Allie Taylor at 908-370-2689 or Bryan Pease, Esq at 619-723-0369.