California Attorney General Seeks To Reinstate Foie Gras Ban

In January, U.S. District Judge Stephen V. Wilson invalidated California's 2012 ban on the sale of foie gras, in a ruling that chefs across the state declared an overwhelming victory, with one chef comparing it to the end of Prohibition.

But now, just weeks later, the return of foie gras is threatened, just as animal rights groups have promised, by an appeal from California's Attorney General, Kamala D. Harris, reports The New York Times.

In a statement, Nathan Runkle, founder of the group Mercy for Animals, praised Harris for fighting against "needless cruelty and violence," and called for the ban to return on the grounds of a "moral obligation to protect all animals."

On Wednesday, February 4, Harris filed an appeal to resume the state's ban on the sale of foie gras, though restaurant groups and foie gras producers in North America say that they believe the recent ruling will be upheld.

"The decision was based on the simple fact that, in the field of meat and poultry, federal law is supreme," attorney Michael Tenenbaum said in a statement. "California does not have the right to ban wholesome, USDA-approved poultry products, whether it's foie gras or fried chicken."