Foie Gras Sales Now Banned in Chicago.

Tuesday, August 22, 2006
Washington Post
Kari Lydersen

Read the full article: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/08/22/AR2006082201053.html

That same day, the Illinois Restaurant Association and Allen's Caf� filed a lawsuit claiming that the ban violates the state constitution. They assert that since foie gras is not produced in or near the city, the city council cannot ban the sale of it. A city law department spokesperson says that where a product is produced doesn't matter. "Fireworks, guns, we regulate all those things and they aren't produced in Chicago," she pointed out.

The newly formed Chicago Chefs for Choice and the Artisan Farmers Alliance, representing U.S. foie gras producers, are also supporting the suit. They say the ban will cost upward of $18 million annually in lost sales, tax revenues and tips. A few chefs say they will serve foie gras for free, charging instead for accompanying dishes. Others are offering alternatives, such as a vegetarian option made from chickpeas and a "faux gras" version made from chickens' livers. After the ban's passage in April, sales of foie gras are reported to have tripled in some restaurants due to the attention the substance has garnered.

Chicago's Department of Public Health is to respond to initial reports of foie gras sales with a letter, second reports are to engender a visit from a health inspector. A spokesperson said there is "little departmental enthusiasm" for enforcing the ban. Councilman Joe Moore, who sponsored the bill banning foie gras, said that Mayor Daley's office will ultimately determine the enforcement of the ban, probably by relying on citizen complaints. Daley has said the council should repeal it. "The mayor had the opportunity to veto the ordinance. He chose not to. Let's move on," stated Moore.