Prohibits force-feeding to create a force-fed poultry product or the hiring of another to engage in force-feeding of a poultry product. It also prohibits the sale of a force-fed poultry product or food containing a force-fed poultry product.

Rhode Island Bill: Ban on Force-Fed Poultry Products

This bill would make it illegal in Rhode Island to force-feed birds — such as ducks or geese — for the purpose of producing enlarged liver products, most commonly known as foie gras. Specifically, it would ban the practice of force-feeding poultry, hiring someone else to do the force-feeding, selling force-fed poultry products, or selling any food that contains force-fed poultry products. The practice being targeted, known as "gavage," involves feeding large amounts of food to birds through a tube to rapidly enlarge their livers for use as a culinary product.

This bill would affect several groups of people. Farmers or producers who raise force-fed birds would no longer be able to do so within Rhode Island. Restaurants, grocery stores, and food retailers would be prohibited from selling foie gras or any dish that includes it as an ingredient. Consumers who currently purchase or order these products in Rhode Island would no longer be able to legally buy them in the state. Because foie gras production does not currently take place in Rhode Island on a large scale, the most direct impact would likely be felt by restaurants and specialty food retailers that currently offer it on their menus or shelves.

The bill has been introduced and sent to the House Corporations Committee, where it will be reviewed before any further action is taken. It has not yet been voted on or signed into law.