Nation's Largest Animal Protection Organization Asks Iron Chef to Stop Serving Animal Cruelty

WASHINGTON—The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) has sent a letter to cable television's Food Network, asking that the station stop featuring foie gras, a "delicacy" notorious for its cruelty. The station's popular Iron Chef series plans to air a show promoting foie gras this week. However, the nation's largest animal protection organization contends that the production of foie gras, one of the most abusive practices on factory farms, is too cruel to swallow. 

The HSUS sent a letter to Brooke Johnson, president of The Television Food Network, explaining foie gras' production process and asking to open a dialogue regarding the station's programming policy on foie gras. The Food Network has featured the paté on a number of programs in addition to its upcoming Iron Chef "Battle Foie Gras" episode airing on February 15 and 16.

"More and more gourmands are saying no to foie gras because of the inherent cruelty in its production," explains Paul Shapiro, HSUS Factory Farming Campaign manager. "According to its own diversity and core values statement, compassion and shared responsibility are among the central ideals to which the Food Network subscribes. The company can take a meaningful step toward upholding these self-reported values by pledging not to promote cruel foie gras on its programs."

To produce foie gras, ducks and geese are force-fed up to three times daily for weeks on end, a metal tube shoved down their throats through which an unnatural amount of food is deposited.  This can cause painful bruising, lacerations, sores, and even organ rupture.  Due to this abnormal diet, the birds' livers become diseased and can enlarge up to ten times their normal size, making it difficult for the birds to move comfortably or even stand.  Often, the birds are intensively confined in filthy warehouses and sometimes crammed in small cages where they cannot even turn around or spread their wings.

Due to animal welfare concerns, California and more than a dozen countries—including the United Kingdom, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Israel, Norway, Poland, Sweden, and Switzerland—have banned force-feeding for foie gras production.  Renowned chefs, including Chicago's Charlie Trotter, have stopped preparing foie gras, and countless gourmet restaurants around the country are choosing to leave it off their menus.

"Given the enormous suffering endured by force-fed birds, The Food Network should adhere to its position as a socially responsible company and leave foie gras off the air," says Shapiro.

The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest animal protection organization with 9.5 million members and constituents. The HSUS is a mainstream voice for animals, with active programs in companion animals and equine protection, disaster preparedness and response, wildlife and habitat protection, animals in research and farm animal welfare. The HSUS protects all animals through education, investigation, litigation, legislation, advocacy, and field work. The non-profit organization is based in Washington and has field representatives and offices across the country. On the web at hsus.org.