Ocado Pulls Foie Gras From Virtual Shelves

For Immediate Release:
01 November 2011

Contact:
Liane Eltan +44 (0)207 357 9229, ext: 228 ;  [email protected]

London – Just days after hearing from PETA supporters and viewing PETA’s graphic video exposé – which reveals how ducks and geese are painfully force-fed in order to produce foie gras – online grocery market Ocado has followed in the compassionate footsteps of Selfridges and Harvey Nichols and pulled foie gras from its range of offerings. All deliveries will now be 100 per cent foie gras-free.

“British opinion is overwhelmingly against the cruelty of foie gras production”, says PETA Manager Mimi Bekhechi. “By making the decision to stop stocking foie gras, Ocado has proved itself to be a modern, ethically minded company.”

To produce foie gras, ducks and geese are force-fed several times a day for weeks until their livers expand to up to 10 times their normal size. Investigations at foie gras farms have documented sick, dead and dying birds, some with holes in their necks from pipe injuries. One investigation found that ducks with bloody beaks and twisted wings were crammed into small wire cages. Many birds become severely depressed and sit shaking as they await the next assault.

Foie gras production has been banned in the UK and more than a dozen other countries. The British Academy of Film and Television Arts, the Brit Awards, Wimbledon, Lord’s Cricket Ground and the Royal Shakespeare Company have all pledged not to serve or sell it, and Prince Charles does not allow it on Royal menus. A long list of prominent figures – including Sir Roger Moore, Ricky Gervais, the Duchess of Hamilton, Kate Winslet, Twiggy and Bill Oddie – have joined with PETA in speaking out against this vile product.