Foie Gras: Force-Feeding, Cruelty, and the Grassroots Fight to Ban a Diseased Delicacy | Ep17

What if the fancy appetizer on upscale menus is actually a diseased organ produced through daily torture? In this powerful episode of Puppies, Pandemics, and Public Health, host Dr. Johnny Lieberman sits down with Sam Schillinger, Oregon Campaign Director for Pro Animal Future. Sam shares his journey from growing up in Iowa’s factory farm heartland to becoming a full-time organizer fighting to end animal agriculture through policy change. The conversation dives deep into the hidden cruelty of foie gras production where birds are force fed via tubes multiple times a day, leading to organ perforation, extreme trauma, and mortality rates far higher than normal. Sam explains why Pro Animal Future is prioritizing bans on the sale and production of force fed foie gras through ballot initiatives and direct lobbying in Portland, Denver, and Washington DC. You’ll hear why political organizing and empowering people as voters (rather than just consumers) offers huge untapped potential for helping farmed animals, how public support often exceeds what legislators prioritize, and practical ways anyone can get involved from signing petitions and attending socials to joining signature gathering efforts like Goosapalooza in DC. Whether you’re concerned about animal suffering, food system ethics, or using democracy to create change, this episode is a compelling call to move beyond awareness into organized action. Top 3 Takeaways: Policy Change Through Political Organizing Has Massive Potential  While many animal advocacy efforts focus on individual consumer choices, turning broad public support for animals into laws via ballot initiatives and lobbying is an underutilized but powerful lever that can create lasting systemic change. Foie Gras Is a Diseased Organ Produced Through Extreme Cruelty  Ducks and geese are force fed massive amounts of food through tubes jammed down their throats up to three times daily until their livers become pathologically enlarged (up to 10x normal size), with high rates of organ perforation and mortality. This is not a natural or healthy product, it's a diseased liver marketed as a delicacy. Grassroots Power Works Even Against Industry Resistance   Despite a recent committee setback in Portland, persistent advocacy is bringing the foie gras sales ban back to full city council. Meanwhile, Denver has already qualified a ban for the 2026 ballot, and DC is launching a major signature collection. Victories come from volunteers, community building, and sustained pressure on elected officials. About the Show: Puppies, Pandemics, and Public Health explores the intersection of animal welfare, public policy, and human health. Hosted by Dr. Johnny Lieberman, each episode invites changemakers, legal experts, and health advocates to shed light on what really impacts our communities and what we can do about it.   About the Guest Sam Schillinger: Sam Schillinger is the Oregon Campaign Director for Pro Animal Future and a dedicated community organizer and animal advocate. Originally from Iowa, one of the nation’s top factory farming states, Sam studied philosophy in college, which prompted him to critically examine the ethics of our food system. After beginning as a petition circulator and briefly attending law school, he dropped out to pursue full-time advocacy for farmed animals. In his role with Pro Animal Future, Sam works with volunteers, voters, and elected officials to pass pro-animal policies, including efforts to ban the sale of force-fed foie gras in Portland. He is passionate about building political power for animals and turning public concern into enforceable laws. Outside of advocacy, Sam enjoys ultra-distance running, traveling, and theater. 🔗 Learn more: Pro Animal Oregon  Pro-Animal Oregon Website: https://proanimaloregon.org/ Stampede: stampede.proanimal.org Meetup: https://www.meetup.com/pro-animal-oregon/ Link to join Signal Chat: https://signal.group/#CjQKIMcRPytTHn3iNlON_IlLUjUYBdTjdgP_l-8-lyY2vpIaEhCp7zIsQG99xu0j_9Kvlad7 Goosapalooza Registration: https://proanimal.org/goosa About the Host:  Dr. Johnny Lieberman is a physician, public health advocate, and lifelong animal lover with a passion for connecting the dots between animal welfare, human behavior, and the systems that shape our lives. With a background in both medicine and public health policy, Johnny brings a unique lens to conversations about how our treatment of animals impacts human health, the environment, and social justice. In Puppies, Pandemics, and Public Health, Johnny brings warmth, curiosity, and a dash of wit to tough conversations that matter. From exposing the realities of factory farming to uncovering the links between zoonotic diseases and our food systems, his goal is to empower listeners to be informed, compassionate, and engaged citizens while still keeping it real (and sometimes bringing in puppies). Whether he's discussing legislative loopholes or snuggling his rescue dog between recordings, Dr. Lieberman believes that creating a healthier world starts with how we treat its most vulnerable beings. Email: [email protected]