Gourmey, a startup in France, intends distributing cell-based foie gras having raised $15 million in a Series-A funding led by Early Bird Venture.

The company has acquired a 46,000 square foot production facility, near Paris, and is currently recruiting staff according to the CEO, Nicolas Morin-Forest.

Preliminary market surveys suggest consumer acceptance, depending on cost and organoleptic qualities.  The principal barrier to commercialization will be the approval of a cell-based product.

Given the problems associated with production of foie gras as a result of successive annual outbreaks of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza affecting ducks and geese in the traditional production areas of France, the cell-based alternative would appear to be a solution to the expense of maintaining flocks, control of HPAI and compensation.

It is questioned whether export markets in Asia will accept a substitute for real foie gras but given the prospect of ongoing HPAI, the alternative cell-based product may be an alternative.  From a welfare perspective, EGG-NEWS strongly supports any product that can make traditional foie gras production obsolete.