FOIE GRAS IN SF
Foie Gras was ''officially'' back in SF ! And already an appeal is announced. Foie Gras in California, it's a long, complicated story with multiple unforeseen or sudden developments.
Foie Gras... it comes and goes, ban has many times been bypassed (as always when there is a prohibition, the law has been discussed, the product itself has been and remains questionned... there are controversies, and yet, tasting it remains a must.
2004
The law regarding the Foie Gras in California was voted. It aims at legislating the production and the sale of Foie Gras. The method -force-feeding ducks and geese to enlarge their liver beyond normal size - is forbidden. Consequently, Foie Gras and any product resulting from this process cannot be sold.
It is not forbidden though to have Foie Gras in one's possession or to consume it as long as one get it through a gift or imported it from outside California.
2012
It took 8 years for the law to take effect. Actually, this transition was included in the official text and was decided to allow new techniques to be developped in order to produce Foie Gras without the force-feeding process.
Entre 2012 et 2015
Many lawsuits took place, initiated by producers an restaurants. They have always been denied.
Janvier 2015
Against all odds, the latest lawsuit succeeded and the judge Stephen Wilson ''ruled in favor of a coalition of foie producers and restaurateurs, granting their motion for partial summary judgment and saying that California's foie gras ban, implemented in 2012, is trumped by the federal Poultry Products Inspections Act when it comes to regulating the sale and distribution of foie gras.''
Full text of the judgement on SF Eater.
That being said...
It is still illegal to produce Foie Gras in California.
It seems that restaurants and their chefs were on their Foie Gras starting blocks considering the fact that many of them added some Foie Gras recipe the very same day the judgement was announced.
We bet that most of fine groceries will soon put some Foie Gras back on their shelves. In the meantime, indulge yourself with your own stock or book a dinner at Les Clos or Jardinière in San Francisco or La Toque in Napa.
An appeal is possible. So, the situation remains uncertain and could give rise to new developments.
And actually...
February 4, 2015
It was announced today that the current ruling would be appealed at a feferal level. We read the news on SF Eater. Here is their article for more details. In the meantime... restaurants can still serve Foie gras and Groceries sell it and San Franciscans buy it.
For now and in the meantime then... Bon appétit!
Articles you should want to read :
5 French restaurants in San Francisco to savor Foie gras. Read our article.
Where to buy Foie Gras when you live in San Francisco. Read our article.
