Clearer labeling of meat, poultry additives proposed

WASHINGTON - The Agriculture Department wants food companies to let consumers know when there's less chicken in their chicken.

A proposed rule would require that poultry and other raw meats be labeled appropriately when they're plumped up by added solutions such as chicken broth, teriyaki sauce, salt or water.

Labels now say that the meat contains added ingredients or is ``enhanced,'' but the labels may not be visible to consumers or understandable.

The department estimates that almost 40 percent of all raw meat and poultry products contain added ingredients.