Reuters: French cry foul as California foie gras ban nears (http://in.reuters.com/article/2012/06/29/uk-food-foiegras-california-idINLNE85S00S20120629)
Quote(Reuters) - Sunday marks a turning point in the culinary calendar of California when a ban enacted nearly eight years ago on foie gras - the gourmet food made from the fattened livers of force-fed ducks and geese - takes effect.
In advance of the July 1 date, some businesses have moved out of state and others have closed. Many chefs and restaurants have held foie gras dinners in a final toast to the delicacy they love, while animal rights activists have cheered and jeered. And n France, the major producer and consumer of the delicacy, politicians and chefs have cried foul.
"I'm sad. I'm disappointed. I'm going to get as much in as I can while we can," said Christina Kurtz, who attended a six-course foie gras dinner recently in the southern California city of Santa Monica, adjacent to Los Angeles.
Foie gras, which means "fatty liver" in French, is produced by force-feeding corn - a process known as gavage - to ducks and geese with a tube-like device in order to enlarge their livers. When fattened, the birds are slaughtered and the organs are harvested to make gourmet dishes.
The process dates back centuries, but in late 2004, then-California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a bill banning the sale of foie gras. The law included a grace period to allow chefs and farmers time to find alternative production.
Seven-and-one-half years and no new methods later, any restaurant serving the gourmet food will be fined up to $1,000.
It is unclear exactly how much foie gras is consumed in the state, but well before the ban, some California cooks had banded together as C.H.E.F.S. - the Coalition of Humane and Ethical Farming Standards - to raise awareness about how the ban will impact their profession.
"It's a treat for chefs to get to cook for people to enjoy foie gras. And it's an art, not everyone knows how to cook foie gras properly, and it's unfortunate for the consumer to have it taken away," said Nyesha Arrington, head chef at the Wilshire restaurant in Santa Monica.
FINAL DISH?
The ban impacts a small group of farms and shops that have already moved out of state, including culinary website Mirepoix, which specializes in foie gras and other gourmet foods from a new home in Nevada.
Laurel Pine, founder of Mirepoix, said in the last month sales have boomed with most packages shipping to California. She expects that when June sales have wrapped up, she will have sold four times the usual amount of the delicacy.
"People in California are buying products they can keep in their freezer for the next two years," said Pine.
The ban has been a victory for animal rights activists, who have crashed some of the foie gras dinner parties, holding banners asking "how much cruelty can you swallow," and chanting "that's not dinner, that's diseased liver."
"Foie gras is a barbaric product. It never should have existed. It certainly should not exist now in 2012 ... Culture, tradition, none of it justifies torturing an animal," said Bryan Pease, co-founder of the Animal Protection and Rescue League.
Yet, some farmers and foodmakers don't see gavage as cruel, and point out that the animals' physiology can handle the process. And the French, as a country, are upset.
"It's a question of cultural shock," said Marie-Pierre Pe, general delegate of the Paris-based Interprofessional Committee of Foie Gras. "Could you imagine France banning ketchup or hamburgers?"
Pe told Reuters the economic effect was negligible, given already low exports to the United States due to customs barriers and veterinary rules. France's foreign ministry weighed-in during an online press briefing on Thursday, saying the country "can only regret California's decision."
Star chef Andre Daguin likened the ban to the U.S. Prohibition against alcohol during the 1920s.
"This will spur consumption and people will make fortunes thanks to it. I wouldn't go as far as to say it will create a new Al Capone, but it's like that," Daguin said.
Some Californians agree.
"Truth is, it's going to be like pot where it's supposed to be illegal but anybody can get it," said Los Angeles chef Mark Peel. "If you want to get Cuban rum, you can, if you want to get Cuban cigars, you can ... you just have to do your research and find it."
Indeed, that won't be hard for customers of Mirepoix. Pine plans to open a foie gras shop on the California-Nevada border. (Reporting by Alicia Avila; Additional Reporting by Jean Decotte and John Irish in France; Editing by Bob Tourtellotte and Leslie Gevirtz)
:weep:
God damn America!
Europe should ban imports of cruel American products, like the Kardashians.
This is a disaster. Keller is gonna close down the French Laundry. :(
Political correctness gone mad. :mad:
Does that mean the prices will go down a bit since the Californians won't drive prices up anymore? :P
The American Martinus' have spoken.
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on June 29, 2012, 04:58:05 AM
Does that mean the prices will go down a bit since the Californians won't drive prices up anymore? :P
No, it means alternative methods will be used and it will sell at 3x the price :)
Comme ici (http://www.lapresse.ca/le-soleil/affaires/agro-alimentaire/201206/17/01-4535780-du-foie-gras-sans-gavage-force-a-lile-dorleans.php)
Hopefully, we can fill the gap left by the Euros and promote our own local industry :)
Quote from: MadImmortalMan on June 29, 2012, 03:44:44 AM
This is a disaster. Keller is gonna close down the French Laundry. :(
Will dropping one dish bring them down? Besides, can't say I'd be sad to see them cut to size. :)
Also I'm really glad this is an organization - "Interprofessional Committee of Foie Gras" :D
QuoteThe ban has been a victory for animal rights activists, who have crashed some of the foie gras dinner parties, holding banners asking "how much cruelty can you swallow," and chanting "that's not dinner, that's diseased liver."
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tshirtpusher.com%2Fimages%2FD%2Ftsp-meatismurder-design.jpg&hash=c2ef98f29db2118aa0fa0a8bba0a9a4482d7099f)
:licklips:
Quote from: Sheilbh on June 29, 2012, 03:42:05 AM
God damn America!
Europe should ban imports of cruel American products, like the Kardashians.
You better not. :mad: What are we going to do with them?
I expect they'd do what any animal lover would to do a pet that nobody wanted, is horribly diseased, and has only suffering ahead for both the owner and everyone else.
Good. The fact it makes you all upset is a nice bonus. :)
Quote from: Ideologue on June 29, 2012, 09:06:20 AM
Good. The fact it makes you all upset is a nice bonus. :)
Agreed. :hug:
The government better get its hands off my goose livers DAMMIT.
Quote from: Syt on June 29, 2012, 08:20:21 AM
QuoteThe ban has been a victory for animal rights activists, who have crashed some of the foie gras dinner parties, holding banners asking "how much cruelty can you swallow," and chanting "that's not dinner, that's diseased liver."
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tshirtpusher.com%2Fimages%2FD%2Ftsp-meatismurder-design.jpg&hash=c2ef98f29db2118aa0fa0a8bba0a9a4482d7099f)
:licklips:
Do they use lamb on gyros? Cause otherwise I don't think I've ever had any. :hmm:
I can understand Californians who like foie gras or who dislike govt. interference in what they can and can't eat to be upset by this.
But why would anyone else give a toss?
Quote from: Gups on June 29, 2012, 09:38:24 AM
I can understand Californians who like foie gras or who dislike govt. interference in what they can and can't eat to be upset by this.
But why would anyone else give a toss?
Because they made money off selling foie gras to Californians.
Quote from: Peter Wiggin on June 29, 2012, 09:43:33 AM
Quote from: Gups on June 29, 2012, 09:38:24 AM
I can understand Californians who like foie gras or who dislike govt. interference in what they can and can't eat to be upset by this.
But why would anyone else give a toss?
Because they made money off selling foie gras to Californians.
Of course, I forgot the huge foie gras making constinuency.
Quote from: Gups on June 29, 2012, 09:38:24 AM
I can understand Californians who like foie gras or who dislike govt. interference in what they can and can't eat to be upset by this.
But why would anyone else give a toss?
The only reason is to note it points to a larger trend of local governments getting involved in regulating stuff that people consume (assuming that it does).
Quote from: Gups on June 29, 2012, 09:49:43 AM
Of course, I forgot the huge foie gras making constinuency.
It seems big enough for this to make international news yes. Since almost all of it is made in one country and Cali is a major consumer.
Quote from: Valmy on June 29, 2012, 09:54:01 AM
Quote from: Gups on June 29, 2012, 09:49:43 AM
Of course, I forgot the huge foie gras making constinuency.
It seems big enough for this to make international news yes. Since almost all of it is made in one country and Cali is a major consumer.
And in many things California leads the way - like California's smoking ban inspiring other states to make similar moves.
Quote from: garbon on June 29, 2012, 10:05:53 AM
Quote from: Valmy on June 29, 2012, 09:54:01 AM
Quote from: Gups on June 29, 2012, 09:49:43 AM
Of course, I forgot the huge foie gras making constinuency.
It seems big enough for this to make international news yes. Since almost all of it is made in one country and Cali is a major consumer.
And in many things California leads the way - like California's smoking ban inspiring other states to make similar moves.
Or California's budget deficits inspiring other states to, er, well.
Quote from: DGuller on June 29, 2012, 10:11:12 AM
Quote from: garbon on June 29, 2012, 10:05:53 AM
Quote from: Valmy on June 29, 2012, 09:54:01 AM
Quote from: Gups on June 29, 2012, 09:49:43 AM
Of course, I forgot the huge foie gras making constinuency.
It seems big enough for this to make international news yes. Since almost all of it is made in one country and Cali is a major consumer.
And in many things California leads the way - like California's smoking ban inspiring other states to make similar moves.
Or California's budget deficits inspiring other states to, er, well.
You mean, Greece is the fault of Californians?
Quote from: DGuller on June 29, 2012, 10:11:12 AM
Or California's budget deficits inspiring other states to, er, well.
I didn't say that all of California's inspiration was positive!
Quote from: Valmy on June 29, 2012, 09:54:01 AM
Quote from: Gups on June 29, 2012, 09:49:43 AM
Of course, I forgot the huge foie gras making constinuency.
It seems big enough for this to make international news yes. Since almost all of it is made in one country and Cali is a major consumer.
Since 80% of foie gras is consumed in France, I doubt Cali is really that big of a producer.
It's international news because it is a divisive issue. I can understand those who are against foie gras being very interested and pleased about this. I just don't understand why someone like Marti could possible care.
That's not what Valmy is saying Gups.
He's saying that France is the major producer.
Quote from: Peter Wiggin on June 29, 2012, 09:17:11 AM
Do they use lamb on gyros? Cause otherwise I don't think I've ever had any. :hmm:
You've never eaten Indian food? :huh:
Yes, gyro is a combination of lamb and beef.
My bad, I meant to say that I doubted that Cali was that big a consumer. But sure teh Foie Gras industry is going to make a fuss if any country or state bans their product, even if its a small part of their exports.
Quote from: Peter Wiggin on June 29, 2012, 09:43:33 AM
Quote from: Gups on June 29, 2012, 09:38:24 AM
I can understand Californians who like foie gras or who dislike govt. interference in what they can and can't eat to be upset by this.
But why would anyone else give a toss?
Because they made money off selling foie gras to Californians.
Foie gras like a drug.... here comes black market. :)
Quote from: szmik on June 29, 2012, 10:39:59 AM
Quote from: Peter Wiggin on June 29, 2012, 09:43:33 AM
Quote from: Gups on June 29, 2012, 09:38:24 AM
I can understand Californians who like foie gras or who dislike govt. interference in what they can and can't eat to be upset by this.
But why would anyone else give a toss?
Because they made money off selling foie gras to Californians.
Foie gras like a drug.... here comes black market. :)
They'll just drive to Nevada or Oregon. No sweat.
Quote from: szmik on June 29, 2012, 10:39:59 AM
Quote from: Peter Wiggin on June 29, 2012, 09:43:33 AM
Quote from: Gups on June 29, 2012, 09:38:24 AM
I can understand Californians who like foie gras or who dislike govt. interference in what they can and can't eat to be upset by this.
But why would anyone else give a toss?
Because they made money off selling foie gras to Californians.
Foie gras like a drug.... here comes black market. :)
I guess so though I'd guess a lot of people who eat it - do so in restaurants...so a black market would really only work for people who serve it at home.
Foie gras speakeasies.
Quote from: PDH on June 29, 2012, 10:42:58 AM
Foie gras speakeasies.
Bathtub duck operations.
How many livers can you fit in a boot leg?
Quote from: Gups on June 29, 2012, 09:38:24 AM
I can understand Californians who like foie gras or who dislike govt. interference in what they can and can't eat to be upset by this.
But why would anyone else give a toss?
First they come for the 32 oz sodas, then they come for the foie gras, and before you know it you can't find ice cream sundays with bacon toppings anymore.
Quote from: garbon on June 29, 2012, 10:41:44 AM
Quote from: szmik on June 29, 2012, 10:39:59 AM
Quote from: Peter Wiggin on June 29, 2012, 09:43:33 AM
Quote from: Gups on June 29, 2012, 09:38:24 AM
I can understand Californians who like foie gras or who dislike govt. interference in what they can and can't eat to be upset by this.
But why would anyone else give a toss?
Because they made money off selling foie gras to Californians.
Foie gras like a drug.... here comes black market. :)
I guess so though I'd guess a lot of people who eat it - do so in restaurants...so a black market would really only work for people who serve it at home.
Have you never been to a black market restaurant?
Quote from: Grey Fox on June 29, 2012, 10:56:35 AM
Have you never been to a black market restaurant?
Why would I want to?
Quote from: garbon on June 29, 2012, 10:57:17 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on June 29, 2012, 10:56:35 AM
Have you never been to a black market restaurant?
Why would I want to?
To partake in food and booze and other things currently outlawed by your local jurisdiction like all snobby people do.
Do you not have pop up restauraunts in Cali?
Yay, food in a restaurant without a health inspection!
Quote from: Ed Anger on June 29, 2012, 11:02:31 AM
Yay, food in a restaurant without a health inspection!
huh? like health inspections are unbribable :rolleyes:
Quote from: garbon on June 29, 2012, 09:15:14 AM
Quote from: Ideologue on June 29, 2012, 09:06:20 AM
Good. The fact it makes you all upset is a nice bonus. :)
Agreed. :hug:
Amen. Good for the geese. You sick fuckers. Go eat something else that gives you Mono-esque vanity boners.
Quote from: Ed Anger on June 29, 2012, 11:02:31 AM
Yay, food in a restaurant without a health inspection!
Right?
@GF - I can't think off the top of my head of any non-allowed foods or drinks that I'd like to have.
Quote from: szmik on June 29, 2012, 11:12:34 AM
Quote from: Ed Anger on June 29, 2012, 11:02:31 AM
Yay, food in a restaurant without a health inspection!
huh? like health inspections are unbribable :rolleyes:
So because there is some risk that a health inspector is corrupt - we should just give up on health inspections? :huh:
Quote from: garbon on June 29, 2012, 11:16:34 AM
Quote from: szmik on June 29, 2012, 11:12:34 AM
Quote from: Ed Anger on June 29, 2012, 11:02:31 AM
Yay, food in a restaurant without a health inspection!
huh? like health inspections are unbribable :rolleyes:
So because there is some risk that a health inspector is corrupt - we should just give up on health inspections? :huh:
not again, please.... :sleep:
if restaurant owner is known to have crap food he goes out of business :secret:
Quote from: Ed Anger on June 29, 2012, 11:02:31 AM
Yay, food in a restaurant without a health inspection!
You know, most Gaming, Fish and Wildlife LEAs have tactical teams, too. Would love to see snobs getting the MP5 treatment, down on their faces, getting zip-tied for illegal goose livers. Fucking criminals.
Quote from: Peter Wiggin on June 29, 2012, 09:17:11 AM
Do they use lamb on gyros? Cause otherwise I don't think I've ever had any. :hmm:
Sometimes. Traditionally, gyro's a blend of lamb, beef, and pork, but a lot of vendors get by with just beef/pork gyros.
As for lamb, the texture's somewhere between veal and pork loin, and it's very mild in comparison to other meats.
Quote from: szmik on June 29, 2012, 11:19:08 AM
Quote from: garbon on June 29, 2012, 11:16:34 AM
Quote from: szmik on June 29, 2012, 11:12:34 AM
Quote from: Ed Anger on June 29, 2012, 11:02:31 AM
Yay, food in a restaurant without a health inspection!
huh? like health inspections are unbribable :rolleyes:
So because there is some risk that a health inspector is corrupt - we should just give up on health inspections? :huh:
not again, please.... :sleep:
if restaurant owner is known to have crap food he goes out of business :secret:
Evidence suggests otherwise. Some of the biggest fast food chains have crap food.
it's not crappy enough :sleep:
Quote from: szmik on June 29, 2012, 11:19:08 AM
not again, please.... :sleep:
if restaurant owner is known to have crap food he goes out of business :secret:
You can have healthcode violations and still have tasty (albeit dirty) food. After all we wouldn't need health inspectors if just by eating the food you could tell that everything was in tip top shape in the kitchen. :P
Quote from: szmik on June 29, 2012, 11:28:06 AM
it's not crappy enough :sleep:
How crappy do they have to be?
You plebs need to hire food tasters. I volunteer myself for the job.
Quote from: Darth Wagtaros on June 29, 2012, 06:31:27 AM
The American Martinus' have spoken.
First of all, wtf.
Second of all, Martinus' what?
Quote from: Gups on June 29, 2012, 10:15:27 AMSince 80% of foie gras is consumed in France, I doubt Cali is really that big of a producer.
It's international news because it is a divisive issue. I can understand those who are against foie gras being very interested and pleased about this. I just don't understand why someone like Marti could possible care.
Because injustice anywhere is injustice everywhere. And this is a troublesome trend in the world.
Quote from: FunkMonk on June 29, 2012, 11:37:05 AM
You plebs need to hire food tasters. I volunteer myself for the job.
I'll fry up some Spam for you. With MIRACLE WHIP.
Given Szmik's attitude, I wonder about that food I had in Gdansk a while back. :(
I'm assuming he's a polack.
He and Marti are besties!
I thought I smelled cabbage.
Quote from: katmai on June 29, 2012, 01:10:53 PM
He and Marti are besties!
I thought he was Wiktor. :unsure:
Marti's checks stopped clearing :(
What does Foie Gras taste like? I've never eaten it. I really don't care for offal to begin with.
Quote from: Razgovory on June 29, 2012, 01:58:23 PM
What does Foie Gras taste like? I've never eaten it. I really don't care for offal to begin with.
To me, like potted meat.
Quote from: Razgovory on June 29, 2012, 01:58:23 PM
What does Foie Gras taste like? I've never eaten it. I really don't care for offal to begin with.
It has the consistency/texture of cold butter - very dense and very very smooth. With a very delicate savoury taste to it.
I generally don't care one way or the other about this. If people want to eat garbage, I don't see any reason to stop them. I mean, we don't stop Cal. I am amused by some of the outrage though.
Quote from: Razgovory on June 29, 2012, 01:58:23 PM
What does Foie Gras taste like? I've never eaten it. I really don't care for offal to begin with.
it's disgusting. Uncooked, it has a nice texture, compared to other liver products. It does look like it's yummy. But it's not.
It's supposed to be cooked lightly (barely cooked) in sugar and butter, and you should eat it with a sweet white wine. Disgusting.
Quote from: Razgovory on June 29, 2012, 02:50:44 PM
I generally don't care one way or the other about this. If people want to eat garbage, I don't see any reason to stop them. I mean, we don't stop Cal. I am amused by some of the outrage though.
it's more a case about theoritical animal suffering than what people eat. If it's banned because it contains too much calories, then the entire US restaurant industry is in dire trouble.
Quote from: viper37 on June 29, 2012, 02:58:25 PM
Quote from: Razgovory on June 29, 2012, 02:50:44 PM
I generally don't care one way or the other about this. If people want to eat garbage, I don't see any reason to stop them. I mean, we don't stop Cal. I am amused by some of the outrage though.
it's more a case about theoritical animal suffering than what people eat. If it's banned because it contains too much calories, then the entire US restaurant industry is in dire trouble.
Yes, we had a similar thread a year ago. How ever some persons were taking the opposite position. Of course that law was aimed at religious minorities and animal cruelty was simply used as a cover. http://languish.org/forums/index.php/topic,5349.0.html Well one person was at least...
It tastes like very delicate liverwurst.
Quote from: garbon on June 29, 2012, 11:31:19 AM
Quote from: szmik on June 29, 2012, 11:19:08 AM
not again, please.... :sleep:
if restaurant owner is known to have crap food he goes out of business :secret:
You can have healthcode violations and still have tasty (albeit dirty) food. After all we wouldn't need health inspectors if just by eating the food you could tell that everything was in tip top shape in the kitchen. :P
Speaking as someone who has experience in the food service industry, a lot of the things that will cause a restaurant to lose points on health inspections have very little direct impact on the quality or safety of the food. For example, in the places I worked in food service, regulations require that a restaurant have a cover on its garbage dumpster. It's actually a fairly serious deduction of points if you don't, but it obviously doesn't directly affect food safety. And few of the things that
do directly affect food safety will get a restaurant shut down immediately--even most serious violations will just result in the establishment being given a certain period of time in which to fix them.
Normally, no matter how filthy and disgusting a place is, the only thing that will get a restaurant shut down immediately is if their freezer or cooler isn't working.
Wouldn't lack of garbage cover attract undesirable visitors?
Quote from: DGuller on June 29, 2012, 03:56:56 PM
Wouldn't lack of garbage cover attract undesirable visitors?
Hey, Caliga's not undesireable. :(
Quote from: Admiral Yi on June 29, 2012, 03:16:54 PM
It tastes like very delicate liverwurst.
Liverwurst on rye with brown mustard and raw onion is one of my favorites. :licklips:
Quote from: DGuller on June 29, 2012, 03:56:56 PM
Wouldn't lack of garbage cover attract undesirable visitors?
Quote from: DGuller on June 29, 2012, 03:56:56 PM
Wouldn't lack of garbage cover attract undesirable visitors?
Yes, which is why not having a cover on the dumpster is a fairly major deduction. But it doesn't directly affect food safety, since most restaurants don't serve food that's been in the dumpster. Granted, the places Cal eats are probably exceptions.
Your definition of "directly" seems unusually narrow. The job of inspectors isn't just to ensure that the food being served is free of mouse droppings right that minute when they're there. Their job is to ensure that the conditions in the kitchen are such that mouse droppings wouldn't be on the menu a week after they left.
Quote from: DGuller on June 29, 2012, 04:36:33 PM
Your definition of "directly" seems unusually narrow. The job of inspectors isn't just to ensure that the food being served is free of mouse droppings right that minute when they're there. Their job is to ensure that the conditions in the kitchen are such that mouse droppings wouldn't be on the menu a week after they left.
Well, what I'm getting at is that the dumpster is going to attract a certain amount of vermin, whether it has a cover or not. In trying to keep the vermin out of the restaurant itself, having the dumpter set back a distance from the building and keeping the interior of the restaurant clean are more important than having a cover on the dumpster.
I'm not suggesting that having a cover on the dumpster isn't a good idea, or that not having one shouldn't be a deduction. Rather, it's that in some jurisdictions, it's more points off than things that are, IMO, far worse from a food safety standpoint.
Quote from: Malthus on June 29, 2012, 04:05:31 PM
Quote from: DGuller on June 29, 2012, 03:56:56 PM
Wouldn't lack of garbage cover attract undesirable visitors?
Hey, Caliga's not undesireable. :(
But is he mentionable?
Quote from: Ed Anger on June 29, 2012, 01:09:34 PM
Given Szmik's attitude, I wonder about that food I had in Gdansk a while back. :(
I'm assuming he's a polack.
And you should, it's all corrupt in Poland. :nelson: ... otherwise our economy would sunk like U-Boots during WW2, under all regulations.
Funny thing is, you kind of expect restaurant owners to poison their customers, while health inspectors are your only ditch. :D
I come from the first world. :)
Quote from: Razgovory on June 29, 2012, 03:07:14 PM
Yes, we had a similar thread a year ago. How ever some persons were taking the opposite position. Of course that law was aimed at religious minorities and animal cruelty was simply used as a cover. http://languish.org/forums/index.php/topic,5349.0.html Well one person was at least...
I haven't changed my mind. It's just as cruel as forcing the animal to eat until the liver explode.
For foie gras as well as for eating meat, there are ways that cause much less suffering to the animal than others.
It's the difference between a mafia hit with a bullet in the head and the Montreal Ripper.
Besides, my comment was about your reaction that you don't care what people eat, where it has really nothing to do.
Mostly I was interested in the Euro bigotry. The animal cruelty was just a facade. "How dare they use Kosher slaughter. How cruel. How barbaric. How Bronze age! What, ban Foi gras because of animal cruelty? Outrageous! Fucking hilarious.
I'm gorging myself right now.