President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva signed a federal law on July 24, 2026 [1], banning the production and commercialization of foie gras throughout Brazil [2].
The ban targets the practice of gavage, where ducks and geese are subjected to forced feeding to enlarge their livers. Because this process is considered animal mistreatment, the law removes the product from the national market to align Brazilian legislation with animal protection standards [3].
The new legislation, identified as Lei 90/2020 [4], prohibits both the manufacture and the sale of the luxury liver product. This move makes Brazil the second country in Latin America to implement a comprehensive ban on the product [1]. While some reports suggested the decision was unprecedented in the region, other records indicate one other Latin American nation had previously enacted similar prohibitions [1].
Animal rights organizations responded to the signing of the law with praise. These groups said the move "coloca o Brasil em destaque na proteção animal," or places Brazil in the spotlight for animal protection [5].
The law entered into force immediately upon the president's signature on Friday [2]. The federal mandate applies to all territories within the country, effectively ending the legal trade of foie gras in Brazilian gastronomy [2].
By targeting the specific method of forced feeding, the law focuses on the welfare of the animals rather than just the end product. The ban is intended to eliminate the cruelty associated with the industrial production of the liver [3].
“Brazil becomes the second country in Latin America to ban the product”
This legislation signals a shift in Brazil's approach to agricultural ethics, prioritizing animal welfare over the production of high-end culinary exports. By joining other Latin American nations in banning gavage, Brazil strengthens its position in the global movement against animal cruelty, potentially influencing other regional neighbors to adopt similar bans on forced-feeding practices.
