A street vendor has become the first person in Chicago to be fined for selling foie gras under a bylaw that bans the sale of the delicacy.

Doug Sohn, who runs Hot Doug's Sausage Superstore and Encased Meat Emporium, said he has been serving hot dogs with foie gras since the ordinance took effect in August 2006.

City inspectors found him stocked with foie gras earlier in 2007 and fined him.

Sohn paid a fine of $250 US for the first-time offence on Thursday.

The ban was sponsored by a Chicago's city alderman, who objected to the way the delicacy is created.

Foie gras, which is French for "fatty liver," is made by force-feeding geese and ducks so their livers become enlarged. It is usually made into pâté to be served as a delicacy at high-end restaurants.

The alderman was supported by animal rights activists, who have been pressing other cities, states and chefs for similar bans.