THE FORBIDDEN MENU DISHES BANNED, BOYCOTTED, OR CANCELLED?

In the glittering world of gourmet dining, where every bite is a statement and every dish a spectacle, certain delicacies stand apart-not for their taste, but for the ethical firestorms they ignite. These are not your usual entrées.

- By Gauri Ghadge

They are icons of indulgence, steeped in centuries of tradition, prestige, and culinary craftsmanship. Yet behind their golden plating and exalted status lies a darker truth-one of animal cruelty, ecological destruction, cultural reckoning, and moral outrage.

Welcome to The Forbidden Menu-a provocative exploration of foods that have been banned, boycotted, or culturally canceled in an age when what we eat is under more scrutiny than ever before.

FOIE GRAS: FROM HAUTE CUISINE TO HUMANITARIAN HORROR

Foie gras-literally "fatty liver" in French-was once the pride of haute cuisine. Achieved by forcefeeding ducks or geese until their livers swell up to ten times their normal size, the resulting dish is prized for its rich, buttery texture.

But this indulgence comes at a devastating cost.

The process, known as gavage, involves inserting a metal tube down the throats of birds multiple times a day. Footage from undercover investigations has revealed appalling conditions: birds collapsing under the weight of their own livers, open sores, damaged organs, and cramped cages. These images have sparked international backlash.

India was the first country in the world to ban the import of foie gras in 2014, despite never producing it domestically. The UK, Argentina, and parts of the U.S. followed suit. Major retailers such as Whole Foods removed it from their shelves, and cities like New York upheld bans even in the face of legal battles.

Still, in France, foie gras remains a fiercely protected tradition-recognized as part of the country's cultural heritage. But even there, change is brewing, with chefs experimenting with "faux gras" made from lentils, mushrooms, and plant fats that mimic the original's richness without the cruelty.

SHARK FIN SOUP: DECADENCE OR DESTRUCTION?