Go Back  Fodor's Travel Talk Forums > Destinations > Europe
Reload this Page >

Bringing Foie Gras Into US

Search

Bringing Foie Gras Into US

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 1st, 2009 | 10:48 AM
  #21  
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,568
Likes: 0
A liquid (100g+) obtained at duty-free in Europe would have to be placed in a checked bag after coming through US customs if the passenger is connecting to a domestic flight.
kayd is offline  
Old Apr 1st, 2009 | 10:50 AM
  #22  
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 17,471
Likes: 2
Hi AGM; I now recall that last October, questions were asked by customs and we had to have the bags xrayed. We also left with the 'foie gras'. iris1745/dick
iris1745 is offline  
Old Apr 1st, 2009 | 10:09 PM
  #23  
 
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 359
Likes: 0
Over the years, I have brought back cans of foie gras and rillettes de oie, along with with homemade jams and preserves into the US with no problems at all.. On my last trip, a US customs agent asked me about some items in my scanned luggage that he couldn't identify. I told him it was some tins of foie gras, etc. He just nodded and let me through without a search..
Langcraft is offline  
Old Apr 2nd, 2009 | 08:46 AM
  #24  
20 Anniversary
 
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,359
Likes: 0
You really need to declare any and all food products in case you are selected to go through the agricultural inspection. Failure to declare foods can lead to difficulties. I'm sure you don't want to bring anything into this country that could do harm.

As for foie gras, as long as it's in a can there should be no problems.
Underhill is offline  
Old Apr 2nd, 2009 | 09:36 AM
  #25  
20 Anniversary
 
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 23,442
Likes: 0
Make sure that it is foie gras and not duck or goose liver pâté which contains forbidden pork fat. But while it is legal to import pure foie gras, not all customs agents know that. I once had a tin almost confiscated when the supervisor happened to pass by and OK'd the item.
Michael is online now  
Old Apr 2nd, 2009 | 09:48 AM
  #26  
20 Anniversary
 
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 24,040
Likes: 6
Canned items are acceptable. I would not try to bring in the foie gras in glass canning jars, because not all of the customs officials are properly trained.

Actually, the last time I was in a debate with customs officials, it was to make sure there was no beef in the item due to mad cow disease. All other animal products were admitted -- as long as they were canned.

I don't declare that I am bringing in any food. It saves time, because 95% of the time they won't check. When they do check, they don't make an issue of it, and if they did, I would just tell them that I understood the "food item" question as referring to raw meat or raw fruit and vegetables. They expect you to be stupid anyway, since so many people are.
kerouac is offline  
Old Apr 2nd, 2009 | 09:51 AM
  #27  
20 Anniversary
 
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 24,040
Likes: 6
I would just like to add that I have been caught with forbidden food more than once. Those of you expecting to be dragged away to prison will be disappointed, because they just take it away from you with a smile. They even give you a little card to fill out in case you feel that you have been mistreated. And then you are on your way.

People who have not personally been through the confiscation procedure should not be advising others of their risks.
kerouac is offline  
Old Apr 2nd, 2009 | 09:53 AM
  #28  
 
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 9,023
Likes: 0
I truly don't want to start another debate on the pros and cons of eating/raising foie gras.>

then you should not post about supporting such horrendous brutality to animals - just so wealthy folks like you can eat their absurdly fat livers - a product of force feeding.

To me it's like someone saying they do not want to start a debate on racism

then going on to say racist things

Have you no SHAME

shame on you and anyone else who supports this animal cruelty

Bon appetit!
Palenque is offline  
Old Apr 2nd, 2009 | 11:25 AM
  #29  
20 Anniversary
 
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 24,040
Likes: 6
Have you ever seen the geese running towards the people holding the funnels, to be first?

(Morlocks/Eloi)
kerouac is offline  
Old Apr 2nd, 2009 | 11:30 AM
  #30  
 
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 9,023
Likes: 0
I would not doubt that - starving them then gorging them - it's a pitiful display even if the geese like it - and i've seen plenty of pictures of them struggling to get free

I just think anyone who eats Foie Gras or buys ivory or whale blubber, etc. is.. low - all for their own selfish greed.

chicago i believe and other cities have banned restaurants serving it outright.

And when i see a Foie Gras imbiber i will always say what i think of that person.
Palenque is offline  
Old Apr 2nd, 2009 | 11:31 AM
  #31  
20 Anniversary
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 49,560
Likes: 0
I have. They practically trample each other to be first in line!
StCirq is offline  
Old Apr 2nd, 2009 | 11:53 AM
  #32  
20 Anniversary
 
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 24,040
Likes: 6
Unlike the Canadian baby seals.
kerouac is offline  
Old Apr 2nd, 2009 | 11:56 AM
  #33  
20 Anniversary
 
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 23,442
Likes: 0
<i>starving them then gorging them</i>

They are not starved. I have seen geese free range, but then have also seen the ducks and geese caged in individual cages. As with any meat production, there is a great variety in the treatment of the animals.

Here is a lengthy defense of foie gras by a restaurateur who obviously cares about how the meat he uses is produced.

http://www.incanto.biz/letters_-_shock_and_foie.html
Michael is online now  
Old Apr 2nd, 2009 | 11:59 AM
  #34  
 
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 9,705
Likes: 0
I've brought it back several times, tinned foie gras entier, not pate, without trouble. However the last trip I had over $100.00 worth confiscated, They said it was because of bird flu and all my arguments were dismissed. I'm always truthful about bringing back food but I'm tempted now to tell a small fib. Or eat my fill in France and buy it in the US from D'Artagnan
avalon is offline  
Old Apr 2nd, 2009 | 12:02 PM
  #35  
 
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 9,023
Likes: 0
I have. They practically trample each other to be first in line!>

another reason it is barbaric

and you do not get fat liver without funneling gruel down their throats and that my friends is animal abuse no matter how you put lipstick on that pig.
Palenque is offline  
Old Apr 2nd, 2009 | 12:06 PM
  #36  
 
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 662
Likes: 0
For someone who has just joined this website, Palenque certainly knows how to stir the pot. Quit attacking posters if you have nothing to add to the question at hand.
wondering is offline  
Old Apr 2nd, 2009 | 12:07 PM
  #37  
 
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 9,023
Likes: 0
I will be open minded as possible about looking into cruelty-free foie gras and the ducks loving it so much they flock to the funnels - perhaps and i will check

Others however are no so open minded about it:

EVANA Foie gras: Cruelty Made in France
Foie gras: Cruelty Made in France. Information: Stop Gavage, France 1 December 2008. Foie gras in France and around the world. Foie gras is produced and ...
www.evana.org/index.php?id=39474 -

NO Foie Gras - A Farm Sanctuary Campaign
Confinement and Cruelty Today foie gras production is concentrated in France, which produces and consumes 90% of the world's foie gras. ...
www.nofoiegras.org/FGabout.htm


Didier Durand plans foie gras museum in his Chicago bistrot ...
Mar 12, 2009 ... I also used to eat foie gras in France when I grew up. ... an abomination & anyone found guilty of it should be gaoled for animal cruelty. ...
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/lif...cle5891166.ece
Palenque is offline  
Old Apr 2nd, 2009 | 12:27 PM
  #38  
20 Anniversary
 
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 24,040
Likes: 6
Have these people seen a chicken factory in the United States?
kerouac is offline  
Old Apr 2nd, 2009 | 12:28 PM
  #39  
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 339
Likes: 0
<i>For someone who has just joined this website, Palenque certainly knows how to stir the pot.</i>

Palenque's an old time poster, this is just his latest log in name. He's been through about half a dozen or so. I guess his trolling gets him banned every so often?
Pete_R is offline  
Old Apr 2nd, 2009 | 12:36 PM
  #40  
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,483
Likes: 0
Why can't people learn to not click on a topic that is going to bug them?

The OP specifically stated that the product was bought from a free range farmer and requested that the melodramatics be absent.
kelliebellie is offline  


Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement -