In a historic move for animal protection in Latin America, the Chamber of Deputies of Brazil approved a bill that prohibits the production and commercialization of foie gras throughout the national territory.
The measure, approved on April 28, 2026, now awaits presidential sanction to eradicate a practice globally classified as systematic torture.
The force-feeding process (Gavage)
The ban focuses on the method of force-feeding, a technique that involves inserting a metal tube into the throat of ducks and geese to pump massive amounts of grain and fat.
The goal is to induce a severe disease called hepatic steatosis, causing the bird’s liver to swell up to 10 times its natural size.
Consequences for animal welfare
The suffering derived from this “luxury” practice includes devastating physical damage to the birds:
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Severe injuries: Organ perforations, esophagus damage, and difficulty breathing.
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Mobility issues: Inability to move due to the disproportionate weight of the diseased organ.
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High mortality: The death rate in these specimens can be up to 20 times higher than that of traditional breeding.
A strong message to the world
With this law, Brazil becomes the first country in Latin America to implement a complete federal ban, joining a list of nations such as Argentina, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Israel, which already reject this technique for ethical reasons.
The decision underscores a global paradigm shift: animal welfare must prevail over culinary refinement, definitively banishing a practice considered barbaric by legislators and animal rights organizations worldwide.
