Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Should foie gras be outlawed?

Foie gras has never been a big part of my diet.  I’ve probably only eaten it a handful of times: at Nobu, at weddings, on the Naked Lunch sandwich (reviewed below), at a couple other fancy-ish restaurants, and most memorably at Earl’s Beer & Cheese, where it’s served on an eggo waffle with aged Cabot cheddar, coffee-cured bacon, and syrup (a ridiculously awesome combination well worth a trip to 97th & Park).

Foie gras is tasty, but if I never eat it again, I’ll live.  I don’t think I’ll even miss it.  Which might be lucky, because in a few months, California will be outlawing foie gras.

There is a bunch of controversy over the tasty lobes of liver.  Some people say that foie gras isn’t ethical.  If you’re so inclined, you can read about their arguments here.

I believe in and aspire to ethical eating.  I’m hardly perfect, but I’m actively trying to make more responsible choices.

I try to buy foods that aren’t produced in ways that destroy the environment, and aren’t encased in wasteful packaging, even if that means spending more money.

I check the Monterey Bay’s Seafood Watch List before ordering seafood.  I hope you will, too.  You can download the app here.

While I eat/enjoy meat, the majority of my meals are vegetarian because it’s better for the environment. (And because vegetables are awesome.)

That being said, I’m not interested in giving up something tasty unless I feel I have to.

If it is truly unethical to eat foie – more so than eating any other animal product – then I’m happy to let it go.  But even though the California legislature made up its mind, I’m still not convinced.  This article explains why.

I’m wondering what you all think.  Feel free to leave comments.  Or invitations to foie gras speakeasies.

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