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 a "force-fed poultry product." This practice, commonly associated with the production of foie gras (a luxury food made from the enlarged livers of force-fed birds), involves feeding large amounts of food to birds through a tube to rapidly expand their livers. Under this bill, it would also be illegal to hire someone else to carry out this force-feeding practice on your behalf.

In addition to banning the production side, the bill would prohibit the sale of force-fed poultry products in Rhode Island — including foods that contain these products as an ingredient. This means restaurants, grocery stores, and other food sellers could not offer foie gras or similar products to customers, even if those products were produced in another state or country.

The bill primarily affects farmers, food producers, restaurants, and retailers who produce or sell these types of products. Consumers who currently purchase or enjoy these foods in Rhode Island would also be affected, as those products would no longer be legally available for sale in the state. The bill has been referred to the Senate Environment and Agriculture committee, where lawmakers will review it before deciding whether to advance it further.