Pessac, a town in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region of France, has become the latest municipality to ban foie gras from being served at municipal events. The Mayor, Franck Raynal, cited Pessac’s commitment to animal welfare as the reason for the ban, which is part of the town’s action plan for 2021 to 2026. This decision makes Raynal the first conservative mayor in the region to take a stand against foie gras.

Foie gras is a controversial pâté made from force-fed goose or duck livers, leading to concerns about animal welfare. In response to the ban, plant-based alternatives to foie gras will be introduced in schools and municipal catering in Pessac. The move reflects a growing interest in ethical food options and alternatives to traditional foie gras production, such as cultivated foie gras and plant-based alternatives created by innovative chefs like Alexis Gauthier.