When Celebrating the Royal Wedding, Foie Gras is a Faux Pas

by Annie Hartnett · 2011-04-27 16:33:00 UTC
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In honor of the Royal Wedding on April 29th, British department store Fortnum & Mason is selling numerous foodstuffs, not to mention Royal Wedding Commemorative China. I'm all for Will & Kate plates, but the store still doesn't get my royal stamp of approval: Fortnum & Mason continues to sell several varieties of foie gras.

Foie gras isn't a dish fit for a Prince: In 2008, Prince Charles banned foie gras from all Royal Menus, because he objects to the cruel way that foie gras is produced. In order to create the fatty liver appetizer, ducks and geese are systematically force-fed using metal feeding tubes. This feeding process can result in liver disease, and the feeding tubes can tear holes in the birds' throats.

Foie gras production is illegal in the U.K., but the pâté is imported from France and sold across Britain. It will likely not be served at the Royal Wedding, but that hasn't stopped Marco Pierre White, a British celebrity chef, from suggesting that Brits dine on foie gras in celebration of the day. White says he will watch the televised matrimonial event with "some foie gras on hand and a tear in [his] eye."

My eyes are welling up too, thinking of the waterfowl that will suffer for White's wedding appetizer. Thankfully, foie gras has fallen out of favor in most of England, and it has become harder to find. PETA already convinced British retailers Selfridges and Harvey Nichols to stop selling foie gras.

PETA has now focused their anti-foie gras campaign against Fortnum & Mason. Earlier this week, a group of barely-clad PETA members — including former Playboy model Victoria Eisermann — protested outside the store, demanding that Fortnum's stop selling foie gras.

So, as the world readies itself to watch the wedding of the year, let's practice some royal compassion. Sign our petition to ask Fortnum & Mason to stop selling foie gras.

Photo Credit: americanistadechiapas

Annie Hartnett is a writer and animal advocate who has worked for several wildlife rehabilitation centers and environmental programs.

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