Foie Gras

Foie Gras Start of Block: irb Q1 Hello, Thank you for your interest in completing this survey on public perspectives towards food choices. The goal of this survey is to understand public perspectives on certain food items, particularly foie gras. Your participation in this online survey will take approximately 15 minutes. This study is a social science investigation of public attitudes about food choices; the material presented in the survey is in no way representative of the beliefs of the research team. Your participation in this research is voluntary. If you decide to participate in the study, you may withdraw your consent and stop participation at any time without penalty. We will be collecting data on your age, gender, country, and information about your beliefs and attitudes about octopus. If you decide to participate, you are free to stop at any time; you may also skip questions you do not want to answer. It is not possible to identify all potential risks in research procedures, but the researcher(s) have taken reasonable safeguards to minimize any known and potential (but unknown) risks. If you have any questions about the research, please contact Dr Rebecca Niemiec at rebecca.niemiec@colostate.edu. If you have any questions about your rights as a volunteer in this research, contact the CSU IRB at: csu_irb@colostate.edu; 970-491-1553. The protocol name and number is #7504 Public Perspectives Towards Foie Gras. Yes, I am willing to participate in this research study (1) No, I am NOT willing to participate in this research study (2) End of Block: irb Start of Block: prolific ID Q47 What is your Prolific ID?  Please note that this response should auto-fill with the correct ID. ________________________________________________________________ End of Block: prolific ID Start of Block: Prior Knowledge/Attitudes/Norms Q2 This survey asks about your perspective on foie gras. Foie gras is a French term for "fat liver," a food made from the fatty liver of specially fattened ducks or geese. Foie gras is sometimes sold in restaurants, especially French restaurants and some upscale American restaurants and steakhouses. Q3 Before this survey, did you know what foie gras was? No (1) Yes (2) Q4 Have you ever ordered foie gras at a restaurant? No (1) Yes (2) Don't know/remember (3) Q53 Have you ever purchased foie gras from a store? No (1) Yes (2) Don't know/remember (3) Display this question: If Have you ever ordered foie gras at a restaurant? = Yes Or Have you ever purchased foie gras from a store? = Yes Q5 How often do you order foie gras at a restaurant or purchase at a store? Once or twice a year or less (1) Several times a year (2) About once a month (3) Several times a month (4) Weekly or more (5) Q6 What are 3 words that come to mind when you think of foie gras? ________________________________________________________________ Page Break Q7 How do you think foie gras is typically produced? (select one) Ducks and geese are left to wander and forage for their food, with supplementation of corn and fat. This enhanced exercise and diet results in a healthier animal, enhancing the taste of the liver. (1) Ducks and geese are kept confined, unable to move their whole life, with supplementation of corn and fat. Limited exercise and increased fat consumption results in a larger and less lean animal, enhancing the taste of the liver. (2) Ducks or geese are force fed a diet of corn and fat. This involves having a pipe with a funnel inserted down their esophagus to deliver food which causes their liver to swell to an abnormally large size, resulting in the taste of the liver for foie gras. (3) Before slaughter, ducks or geese are injected with a medication which causes their liver to swell to an abnormally large size, resulting in the taste of the liver. (4) I don't know (5) ⊗It varies/depends (6) ⊗None of the above (7) Q8 Please indicate your agreement or disagreement with the following statements: Strongly disagree (1) Disagree (2) Somewhat disagree (3) Neither agree nor disagree (4) Somewhat agree (5) Agree (6) Strongly agree (7) Foie gras is produced in a humane way (1) Being able to purchase foie gras is a symbol of class and wealth (2) My friends and/or family eat foie gras (3) Most Americans eat foie gras (4) Foie gras is a healthy food option (5) End of Block: Prior Knowledge/Attitudes/Norms Start of Block: menu with foie gras Q56 Below is a menu of a French restuarant in the United States. Q12 How likely are you to go to a restaurant with a menu like the one pictured above? Extremely unlikely (1) Somewhat unlikely (2) Neither likely nor unlikely (3) Somewhat likely (4) Extremely likely (5) Q13 Which items would you be most likely to purchase on this menu? (select up to the three) L’Automne - Young leaves of arugula & radicchio, candied pecans, honey crisp apple, comté & vinaigrette (1) Les Haricots - Green beans over frisée, almond chips, beets & feta, raspberry dressing (2) Le Saumon Fumé - Smoked salmon millefeuille, layers of puff pastry, cream cheese mixed green salad (3) La Charcuterie - The Chef’s selection of mixed cold cuts, cornichons & toasts (4) Les Fromages - Aged cheeses from France, seasonal marmalade (5) La Terrine - Homemade foie gras terrine (6) Le Poêlé - Pan-seared foie gras, 1 slice, poached pear in Port wine (7) De Maïs - Warm corn & sweet potato velouté in coconut milk, sage oil (8) À l’Oignon - French onion soup gratinée, croûtons & emmental (9) De Poissons - Fish soup, tomato-based, aïoli & abondance, croûtons (10) Les Escargots- Escargots de Bourgogne cooked in garlic & parsley butter (11) La Quiche - The Chef’s daily inspiration homemade pie, field greens (12) Les Moules - P.E.I. mussels in spicy saffron cream of curry or in a traditional marinière sauce (13) Le Risotto - Creamy “al dente” mixed mushrooms risotto, crispy chestnut baby carrots (14) End of Block: menu with foie gras Start of Block: menu without foie gras Q15 Below is a menu of a French restaurant in the United States. Q17 How likely are you to go to a restaurant with a menu like the one pictured above? Extremely unlikely (1) Somewhat unlikely (2) Neither likely nor unlikely (3) Somewhat likely (4) Extremely likely (5) Q18 Which items would you be most likely to purchase on this menu? (select up to the three) L’Automne - Young leaves of arugula & radicchio, candied pecans, honey crisp apple, comté & vinaigrette (1) Les Haricots - Green beans over frisée, almond chips, beets & feta, raspberry dressing (2) Le Saumon Fumé - Smoked salmon millefeuille, layers of puff pastry, cream cheese mixed green salad (3) La Charcuterie - The Chef’s selection of mixed cold cuts, cornichons & toasts (4) Les Fromages - Aged cheeses from France, seasonal marmalade (5) De Maïs - Warm corn & sweet potato velouté in coconut milk, sage oil (6) À l’Oignon - French onion soup gratinée, croûtons & emmental (7) De Poissons - Fish soup, tomato-based, aïoli & abondance, croûtons (8) Les Escargots- Escargots de Bourgogne cooked in garlic & parsley butter (9) La Quiche - The Chef’s daily inspiration homemade pie, field greens (10) Les Moules - P.E.I. mussels in spicy saffron cream of curry or in a traditional marinière sauce (11) Le Risotto - Creamy “al dente” mixed mushrooms risotto, crispy chestnut baby carrots (12) End of Block: menu without foie gras Start of Block: control group Q46 In the next section of the survey, we will provide more information about foie gras and ask about your perspective on policies related to the production and sale of foie gras. Page Break Q52 Due to animal welfare concerns, policymakers have been increasingly taking action to ban the sale and production of foie gras. For example, California and Pittsburgh lawmakers have banned the production and/or sale of foie gras or the methods of farming used to make foie gras. More than a dozen countries have prohibited the production of foie gras, including the UK, Denmark, Germany, Israel, and Sweden. India has banned the sale of foie gras. Page Break Q62 What is something you'd share with a friend or family member about foie gras? ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ End of Block: control group Start of Block: Message 1: Animal welfare only (emphasize liver disease, force feeding) Q48 In the next section of the survey, we will provide more information about foie gras and ask about your perspective on policies related to the production and sale of foie gras. Page Break Q57 Due to animal welfare concerns, policymakers have been increasingly taking action to ban the sale and production of foie gras. For example, California and Pittsburgh lawmakers have banned the production and/or sale of foie gras or the methods of farming used to make foie gras. More than a dozen countries have prohibited the production of foie gras, including the UK, Denmark, Germany, Israel, and Sweden. India has banned the sale of foie gras. Stakeholders opposed to foie gras production or sales bans believe these policies infringe on the rights of both farmers and consumers. They argue that foie gras production is not that bad for animal welfare, and that some foie gras farms provide acceptable living conditions for their birds. Those opposed to bans on foie gras also emphasize the negative impacts these bans could have on local restaurants and farmers. Page Break Q36 However, those who support bans on the production and sale of foie gras argue that the force feeding used to produce foie gras can never be humane or ethical, because it involves purposefully giving animals liver disease. On most foie gras farms, ducks or geese are force fed a diet of corn and fat. This involves inserting a tube with a funnel into their esophagus to deliver an excessive amount of feed causing abnormal swelling of their liver (to at least 6 times the size of a normal, healthy liver). This fatty, diseased liver results in the sought-after taste of foie gras. Extensive scientific evidence confirms that this force feeding is detrimental to animal welfare. It causes pain and injury from feeding tube insertion, fear and stress during handling, difficulties walking due to distended livers, problems with liver function, and prevents geese and duck from engaging in natural feeding behaviors. Bans on the production and sale of foie gras using force feeding therefore protect ducks and geese from unnecessary suffering and distress. Q63  What is something you'd share with a friend or family member about foie gras? ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ End of Block: Message 1: Animal welfare only (emphasize liver disease, force feeding) Start of Block: Message 2: Animal welfare + Fairness/moral foundations/social norms argument Q49 In the next section of the survey, we will provide more information about foie gras and ask about your perspective on policies related to the production and sale of foie gras. Page Break Q58 Due to animal welfare concerns, policymakers have been increasingly taking action to ban the sale and production of foie gras. For example, California and Pittsburgh lawmakers have banned the production and/or sale of foie gras or the methods of farming used to make foie gras. More than a dozen countries have prohibited the production of foie gras, including the UK, Denmark, Germany, Israel, and Sweden. India has banned the sale of foie gras. Stakeholders opposed to foie gras production or sales bans believe these policies infringe on the rights of both farmers and consumers. They argue that foie gras production is not that bad for animal welfare, and that some foie gras farms provide acceptable living conditions for their birds. Those opposed to bans on foie gras also emphasize the negative impacts these bans could have on local restaurants and farmers. Page Break Q37 However, those who support bans on the production and sale of foie gras argue that the force feeding used to produce foie gras can never be humane or ethical, because it involves purposefully giving animals liver disease. On most foie gras farms, ducks or geese are force fed a diet of corn and fat. This involves inserting a tube with a funnel into their esophagus to deliver an excessive amount of feed causing abnormal swelling of their liver (to at least 6 times the size of a normal, healthy liver). This fatty, diseased liver results in the sought-after taste of foie gras. Extensive scientific evidence confirms that this force feeding is detrimental to animal welfare. It causes pain and injury from feeding tube insertion, fear and stress during handling, difficulties walking due to distended livers, problems with liver function, and prevents geese and duck from engaging in natural feeding behaviors. Bans on the production and sale of foie gras using force feeding therefore protect ducks and geese from unnecessary suffering and distress. Additionally, foie gras is a luxury product, only consumed by a small portion of the public wealthy individuals, typically at high-end restaurants. People who can afford a luxury product are allowing the foie gras industry to continue, despite the vast majority of Americans being against it. One study in Minnesota found that 74% of residents support a ban on foie gras production, and only 4% of residents regularly eat foie gras. Another study found that 81% of New York City voters support a complete ban on foie gras from force fed birds. Bans on the production and sale of foie gras using force feeding are asking that the wealthy elite follow the morals and values of most Americans. Q65 What is something you'd share with a friend or family member about foie gras? ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ End of Block: Message 2: Animal welfare + Fairness/moral foundations/social norms argument Start of Block: Message 3: Animal welfare + Minimal economic impacts argument Q50 In the next section of the survey, we will provide more information about foie gras and ask about your perspective on policies related to the production and sale of foie gras. Page Break Q59 Due to animal welfare concerns, policymakers have been increasingly taking action to ban the sale and production of foie gras. For example, California and Pittsburgh lawmakers have banned the production and/or sale of foie gras or the methods of farming used to make foie gras. More than a dozen countries have prohibited the production of foie gras, including the UK, Denmark, Germany, Israel, and Sweden. India has banned the sale of foie gras. Stakeholders opposed to foie gras production or sales bans believe these policies infringe on the rights of both farmers and consumers. They argue that foie gras production is not that bad for animal welfare, and that some foie gras farms provide acceptable living conditions for their birds. Those opposed to bans on foie gras also emphasize the negative impacts these bans could have on local restaurants and farmers. Page Break Q38 However, those who support bans on the production and sale of foie gras argue that the force feeding used to produce foie gras can never be humane or ethical, because it involves purposefully giving animals liver disease. On most foie gras farms, ducks or geese are force fed a diet of corn and fat. This involves inserting a tube with a funnel into their esophagus to deliver an excessive amount of feed causing abnormal swelling of their liver (to at least 6 times the size of a normal, healthy liver). This fatty, diseased liver results in the sought-after taste of foie gras. Extensive scientific evidence confirms that this force feeding is detrimental to animal welfare. It causes pain and injury from feeding tube insertion, fear and stress during handling, difficulties walking due to distended livers, problems with liver function, and prevents geese and duck from engaging in natural feeding behaviors. Bans on the production and sale of foie gras using force feeding therefore protect ducks and geese from unnecessary suffering and distress. Additionally, bans on foie gras will have minimal economic impacts to producers, restaurants, and consumers. More than 85% of foie gras produced in the US comes from New York, where the industry employs just 230 individuals directly. The New York foie gras industry only generates an estimated $625,000 per year in sales, income and property taxes for New York and Sullivan County. Most of the foie gras sold in the United States is sold in high-end restaurants. Restaurants that have removed force fed foie gras off their menu have easily switched to alternative menu options to prevent revenue loss. Bans on the production and sale of foie gras are therefore a win-win: animals can be saved from suffering without negative economic impacts. Q66 What is something you'd share with a friend or family member about foie gras? ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ End of Block: Message 3: Animal welfare + Minimal economic impacts argument Start of Block: Message 4: Animal welfare + Public health impacts Q51 In the next section of the survey, we will provide more information about foie gras and ask about your perspective on policies related to the production and sale of foie gras. Page Break Q60 Due to animal welfare concerns, policymakers have been increasingly taking action to ban the sale and production of foie gras. For example, California and Pittsburgh lawmakers have banned the production and/or sale of foie gras or the methods of farming used to make foie gras. More than a dozen countries have prohibited the production of foie gras, including the UK, Denmark, Germany, Israel, and Sweden. India has banned the sale of foie gras. Stakeholders opposed to foie gras production or sales bans believe these policies infringe on the rights of both farmers and consumers. They argue that foie gras production is not that bad for animal welfare, and that some foie gras farms provide acceptable living conditions for their birds. Those opposed to bans on foie gras also emphasize the negative impacts these bans could have on local restaurants and farmers. Page Break Q39 However, those who support bans on the production and sale of foie gras argue that the force feeding used to produce foie gras can never be humane or ethical, because it involves purposefully giving animals liver disease. On most foie gras farms, ducks or geese are force fed a diet of corn and fat. This involves inserting a tube with a funnel into their esophagus to deliver an excessive amount of feed causing abnormal swelling of their liver (to at least 6 times the size of a normal, healthy liver). This fatty, diseased liver results in the sought-after taste of foie gras. Extensive scientific evidence confirms that this force feeding is detrimental to animal welfare. It causes pain and injury from feeding tube insertion, fear and stress during handling, difficulties walking due to distended livers, problems with liver function, and prevents geese and duck from engaging in natural feeding behaviors. Bans on the production and sale of foie gras using force feeding therefore protect ducks and geese from unnecessary suffering and distress. Additionally, foie gras potentially poses a threat to public health, especially for high risk individuals. Foie gras contains amyloid proteins, the same toxic proteins found in Alzheimer’s disease. Amyloids compromise the function of the organ in which they reside. In one experiment researchers injected a foie gras extract into mice and found that it caused tissue damage that started in the spleen and eventually spread into the liver, heart, tongue, and gastrointestinal tract. Within 2 months, most of the foie gras–treated animals were close to death. While mice trials are not fully representative of impacts on humans, public health researchers have suggested that avoiding foie gras is the safest option, especially among high risk individuals. Q67 What is something you'd share with a friend or family member about foie gras? ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ End of Block: Message 4: Animal welfare + Public health impacts Start of Block: questions after each message Q19 How likely would you be to order foie gras if it were on the menu? Extremely unlikely (1) Somewhat unlikely (2) Neither likely nor unlikely (3) Somewhat likely (4) Extremely likely (5) Q20 Would you be more or less likely to go to a restaurant if you heard that the restaurant stopped selling foie gras because of animal welfare concerns? Much less likely (1) Moderately less likely (2) Minimally less likely (3) No change (4) Minimally more likely (5) Moderately more likely (6) Much more likely (7) Q21 How supportive would you be of a ban on the sale of foie gras... In your state (or district) (1) In your city (2) Strongly unsupportive (1) Moderately unsupportive (2) Neutral (4) Moderately supportive (6) Strongly supportive (7) Q22 How supportive would you be of a ban on the practice of force feeding ducks and geese to produce foie gras in your state (or district)? Strongly unsupportive (1) Moderately unsupportive (2) Neutral (4) Moderately supportive (6) Strongly supportive (7) Q23 How supportive would you be of a ban on the sale of foie gras coming from farms where force feeding of ducks and geese was used... In your state (or district) (1) In your city (2) Strongly unsupportive (1) Moderately unsupportive (2) Neutral (4) Moderately supportive (6) Strongly supportive (7) Page Break Q24 Please indicate your agreement or disagreement with the following statements: Strongly disagree (1) Disagree (2) Somewhat disagree (3) Neither agree nor disagree (4) Somewhat agree (5) Agree (6) Strongly agree (7) Bans on the sale of foie gras of products coming from force feeding are an example of problematic government overreach (1) Bans on the production of foie gras products coming from force feeding are an example of problematic government overreach (2) It is important to preserve consumer choice and stop potential bans on foie gras production or sales (3) Foie gras, produced through force feeding, has potentially damaging public health impacts, especially for vulnerable populations (4) Foie gras, produced through force feeding, causes unnecessary suffering for ducks/geese (5) Most Americans are not supportive of the foie gras industry (6) Foie gras produced using force feeding can still be humane to the ducks and geese (7) Bans on foie gras productions and sales will have significant negative economic impacts in the United States (8) The foie gras industry, overall, is an unethical industry promoted by the wealthy elite (9) End of Block: questions after each message Start of Block: demographics Q25 What state do you live in? ▼ Colorado (1) ... None of the above (12) Q26 Do you live in any of the following cities? Washington DC (1) Denver, CO (2) Portland, OR (3) None of the above (4) Q27 In politics today, do you consider yourself a Republican, Democrat, an Independent or something else/no party? Republican (1) Democrat (2) Independent (3) Something else/no party (4) Page Break Q28 Are you of Spanish, Hispanic, or Latino origin? Yes (1) No (2) Prefer not to say (3) Q29 Choose one or more races that you consider yourself to be: White or Caucasian (1) Black or African American (2) American Indian/Native American or Alaska Native (3) Asian (4) Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander (5) ⊗Other (6) ⊗Prefer not to say (7) Q30 What is the highest level of education you have completed? ▼ Some high school or less (1) ... Prefer not to say (7) Q31 What was your total household income before taxes during the past 12 months? ▼ Less than $25,000 (1) ... Prefer not to say (9) Q32 How old are you? ▼ 18-24 years old (1) ... Prefer to not say (7) Q33 How do you describe yourself? ▼ Male (1) ... Prefer not to say (5) Q34 Do you own or have you owned a pet in the past? Yes (1) No (2) Q35 Please indicate whether or not the following statements apply to you. Yes (1) No (2) Not sure (3) I am vegan or vegetarian (1) I hunt or fish (2) I am or have been a farmer or rancher (3) I have friends who are vegan or vegetarian (4) End of Block: demographics