# Two US cities vote on banning foie gras > Washington, DC and Denver voters will decide whether to ban the sale of force-fed duck liver, reigniting a fierce debate over animal welfare and luxury dining. - Title: Two US cities vote on banning foie gras · Vox | Shortify - Summary: Washington, DC and Denver voters will decide whether to ban the sale of force-fed duck liver, reigniting a fierce debate over animal welfare and luxury… - Keywords: foie gras, animal welfare, washington dc, denver, ballot measure, duck farming, force-feeding, hudson valley farms, pro-animal dc, luxury food, news, culture - Source: Vox — https://vox.com/future-perfect/505974/foie-gras-ban-dc-denver-election - Author: Kenny Torrella - Published: 2026-10-13T11:00:00+00:00 - Read time: 3 min - Topics: foie gras, animal welfare, washington dc, denver, ballot measure, duck farming, force-feeding, hudson valley farms, pro-animal dc, luxury food, news, culture ## Two cities vote on foie gras In November, voters in Washington, DC and Denver will decide whether their cities can continue selling foie gras, the controversial French delicacy made from force-fed duck liver. ## How foie gras is made Foie gras is produced by force-feeding ducks a corn slurry two to three times daily with a metal tube during the final two to three weeks of their lives, making their livers balloon to roughly… ## A prized but controversial dish The farming practice gives the liver its signature rich, buttery taste that made it a French delicacy centuries ago and a prized menu item at upscale restaurants in Europe, the United States, and East Asia. ## Industry argues ducks can handle it Foie gras companies and high-end chefs contend that force-feeding does not hurt the animals because ducks' unique physiology enables them to eat fish and other animals whole, and they naturally gorge before migrations. ## Research shows force-feeding causes harm A veterinarian at Ghent University in Belgium and animal welfare research consultants published a literature review finding that a duck's throat and beak are particularly sensitive, and repeated metal tube insertion causes tissue damage, irritation… ## Liver enlargement creates multiple problems Beyond force-feeding injuries, the enlarged liver makes ducks overweight and harder to move. Liver enlargement increases their internal heat production, causing more panting, and can pressure their air sacs, making it harder to breathe. ## Ducks lack access to water and outdoors Ducks raised for foie gras are not given access to water like a pond or bathing trough, which in nature they use to clean themselves and forage. ## Hudson Valley Farms defends its practices Jordan Ginor, a director at Hudson Valley Farms in upstate New York, one of two main US commercial foie gras producers, told the reporter they have really good, clean, smiley, healthy ducks and use a… > really good, clean, smiley, healthy ducks ## Video shows ducks in distress A photojournalist who took a public tour of Hudson Valley Farms documented ducks confined in small pens with no bedding during force-feeding. ## Previous investigations alleged abuse In previous investigations of Hudson Valley Farms, animal advocates alleged they documented ducks injured, lame, bloodied, heavily panting, overcrowded in large barns, and confined in small cages prior to slaughter. ## Why single out foie gras? Producers argue foie gras is unfairly singled out when there are arguably worse practices in animal agriculture. ## Animal advocates defend the focus Natalie Fulton of Pro-Animal DC, the group behind the DC ballot measure, responded to criticism by saying just because some things are also bad does not mean that foie gras production is good. > Just because some things are also bad doesn't mean that foie gras production is good ## Foie gras is politically easier to ban Foie gras is a low-hanging fruit for animal advocates. There is not a large lobby group behind the US industry, and since it is a luxury product, most consumers will not miss it, making it… ## Bans are spreading globally Foie gras sales have been banned in California, Portland Oregon, Pittsburgh, and New York City, whose ban has been held up in court in recent years. ## Chefs resist losing the ingredient Bart Hutchins, head chef at Butterworth's in Washington, DC, told the reporter he does not want his town to ban what he considers a great culinary tradition, calling it a miracle that we discovered this… > It is a miracle that we discovered this and that we cultivated it and that we can eat it ## DC voters strongly support the ban Pro-Animal Future is especially confident about DC voters' support for the ban, with support nearing eighty percent in a two thousand twenty-three poll. ## Key takeaway Voters in Washington, DC and Denver will decide in November whether to ban foie gras sales, a practice that forces ducks to eat corn slurry through metal tubes to enlarge their livers.