NYC's foie gras ban finally wins court approval after years of delays
New York City can now enforce its long-delayed ban on foie gras after a state appeals court ruled in its favour. The decision, announced on 13 March 2026, allows the city to prohibit restaurants from serving the controversial dish. However, some eateries may still offer it while legal challenges continue.
The ban was first approved in 2019 but faced repeated legal obstacles. Opponents, including foie gras producers and restaurant owners, argued that concerns over animal cruelty were overstated. They also pointed to the dish's long history in fine dining.
Animal rights groups celebrated the ruling as a major win. Allie Taylor of Voters For Animal Rights called it a 'historic victory for animals'. Yet, enforcement may not begin immediately due to pending appeals and an ongoing injunction in another lawsuit. Despite the ban, some high-end restaurants still list foie gras on their menus. Benjamin Steakhouse Prime, for example, serves a foie gras and caviar-topped surf-and-turf tartare for $1,000 a plate. A 2026 TripAdvisor review also mentioned the dish at Gabriel Kreuther, though this may no longer apply under the new ruling. New York's foie gras supply largely comes from two Hudson Valley farms: Hudson Valley Foie Gras and La Belle Farm. These producers remain among the few in the U.S. still making the product.
The court's decision marks a turning point for New York City's foie gras ban. While enforcement could still face delays, restaurants may soon have to remove the dish from their menus. The ruling also sets a precedent for similar bans in other cities.
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