It has become one of world’s most controversial foods. To its admirers, like Gordon Ramsay and Marco Pierre White, the velvety liver pate known as Foie Gras is the ultimate in gastronomic decadence. But to its many critics, the practice of force feeding ducks and geese to produce this contentious delicacy is nothing short of barbaric. Now Waitrose is attempting to bridge this bitter gourmet divide with a new home-grown product that combines the smooth texture and rich flavours of traditional French Foie Gras with high standards of welfare. Called Faux Gras – a name that is being trade marked by Waitrose – the product is a British twist on the French classic and is produced from naturally fattened livers of free range geese and ducks. The birds have been allowed to roam freely on British farms and ducks have even had ponds to swim in. So will it measure up to traditional French Foie Gras? Says Waitrose buyer David Stone, who has developed the new product: “We think this is as near to authentic Foie Gras as we can get without the cruelty. “Waitrose does not sell traditional Foie Gras because it just isn’t consistent with our high standards of animal welfare. “But now we are confident we have come up with the holy grail of the gastronomic world – a pate with the richness of traditional Foie Gras – but without any of the guilt.” “Waitrose Faux Gras is derived from the livers of free range ducks and geese, entirely free from the force feeding practices of traditionally produced foie gras, which undoubtedly results in unnecessary suffering,” says Dr Marc Cooper, RSPCA Senior Scientific Officer, Farm Animals Department, “63% of people in Britain believe foie gras should be banned, but those seeking an alternative dish can rest assured that this new Waitrose product has been produced with welfare in mind.”

The product is about 50 per cent liver – the amount regulations dictate for traditional Foie Gras pate. The bird’s livers are blended with goose or duck fat to produce a creamy texture reminiscent of traditional Foie Gras. However, Faux Gras is a fraction of the cost with Goose Liver pate selling at £6.99 and Duck Liver pate at £4.99. Whilst the Waitrose Goose Liver pate will only be available over the Christmas period, the Duck Liver Pate will be in store all year round. – Ends –