Court Clears Way for NYC Foie Gras Ban, But Obstacles Remain

[United Poultry Concerns]

United Poultry Concerns
14 March 2026

Court Clears Way for NYC Foie Gras Ban, But Obstacles Remain

The 2019 ban on the sale of foie gras in New York City was overturned by the New York State Supreme Court on June 21, 2024, as UPC reported in Fall 2024 Poultry Press. On March 12, 2026, the New York State Court of Appeals ruled that New York City's foie gras ban can take effect, rejecting arguments from foie gras producers and restaurants who claimed the city did not have authority to prohibit the sale of products made through force-feeding birds. The court found that the city is allowed to regulate products connected to animal cruelty, clearing a major legal obstacle to the ban.

This is encouraging news, but obstacles remain before the ban can take effect. The March 12, 2026, Gothamist article, New York court clears way for NYC foie gras ban to take effect, reports:

   But the ban may not take effect immediately. A spokesperson for the New York City

   Law Department said the state could still seek permission to appeal the ruling to the

   Court of Appeals.

   The spokesperson also said the city is currently subject to an injunction in a separate

   lawsuit brought by foie gras producers that prevents enforcement of the law until there

   is a "final, nonappealable" order in the case against the state.

   Thursday's court ruling is a "historic victory for animals," said Allie Taylor, who heads

   Voters For Animal Rights, which helped lobby for the ban's original passage seven

   years ago.

   "Today's ruling not only upholds the city's ability to make decisions in the best interest

   of its residents, human and nonhuman alike, but also shows the power of citizens

   coming together for justice and compassion," she said. "This is a momentous step

   forward in creating a kinder, more humane world and it proves that meaningful change

   is possible when people refuse to accept cruelty as the status quo."

Read the article


What Can I Do?

Help restaurants in NYC (and everywhere! ) reduce their dependence on animal cruelty. Order and distribute copies of our new handout, "Ask Restaurants to Switch to Vegan Faux Gras," which exposes the cruelty behind foie gras and offers a vegan faux gras recipe as a solution. This handout is great to use for leafleting in front of restaurants that serve foie gras or just sharing with your local chef. To find foie gras restaurants in your area, just type "foie gras restaurant near me" in your favorite internet search engine.

Order Copies

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