Amazon settles case involving sale of foie gras
LOS ANGELES — Amazon has agreed not to sell foie gras in California from birds that have been force-fed and pay civil penalties as part of a lawsuit settlement, a prosecutor said Friday.
The lawsuit filed by prosecutors in Los Angeles, Monterey and Santa Clara counties accused the giant retailer of violating a 2004 state law banning sales of the fatty duck and goose liver delicacy if it was produced by force-feeding birds.
A judge approved the settlement Thursday between Amazon and the three prosecutors, Los Angeles County District Attorney Jackie Lacey said.
Under the deal, Amazon agreed for the next five years not to sell foie gras banned by the state, publish a policy prohibiting third-party sellers from doing so and search Amazon.com for any violations, according to court documents.
It also agreed to pay $100,000 in civil penalties, costs and restitution.
A spokeswoman for Amazon said the company was not commenting.
The prosecutors accused Amazon of illegally selling foie gras in California on its website. Lacey and Monterey County District Attorney Dean D. Flippo acknowledged Amazon took steps to stop those sales after it was contacted by prosecutors.