Neru wrote on Nov 28
th, 2013 at 4:50am:
Is it really banned, seriously? I wasn't aware of this as I still buy/eat them and I'm from California. You can still find them in many Asian grocery stores. It's an extremely common ingredient to use with many types of Vietnamese sandwiches (Bánh mě) among other things.
Products CONTAINING foie gras are not banned. Only the production and sale of foie gras within the state. So, if you imported say a pate that had goose liver in it, that does not mean you are eating the banned forced fed goose liver particular to Foie Gras served as a dish on it's own.
Likewise, if there is actual force fed foie gras as an ingredient in a pate, which is not uncommon, this is not considred the same thing as buying or selling say, a terrine that was nothing but force fed goose liver foie gras. It's a strange distinction I know, but this was a bill crafted and fought over by chefs.
For the record as a californian and former chef, I think it's ridiculous and stupid and should not be banned. The type of torture and inhumane treatment that cows, chicken, and pigs undergo everyday on factory feedlots and operations all over California every day is a travesty, and far more offensive than overfeeding a free range goose it's favorite food. PETA went after it only because it was such an easy win, with such a weak lobby behind it, unlike BIG AG, who are the same people as BIG MEAT (have a field day with that one).