TLC Chickens Descend on Nation’s Capital

TLC Chickens descended on the Nation’s Capital today and handed out more than 2,500 handbills to Members of Congress, Hill staff, USDA staff, and tourists. Noticing a third six-foot-tall TLC Chicken in as many hours, one Metro passenger commented, “These chickens are everywhere.”

The TLC Chickens roosted outside Metro stations frequented by policymakers to alert them to the issue of deceptive “natural” labeling of fresh chicken. A growing number of citizens around the country are learning – and growing outraged – about this issue. In fact, over 26,000 consumers have written to the US Dept. of Agriculture already urging them to reform their flawed policy on the use of the term “natural” for fresh chicken. A recent nationwide survey revealed that over 70% of consumers were unaware that some poultry companies routinely add sodium and other additives to their fresh chicken. Furthermore, nearly 3 out of 4 consumers failed to notice the statements warning of additional ingredients because the writing is significantly smaller in comparison to the entire package design.

From YouTube to health and cooking web sites to blogs of all sizes, Internet users around the country are joining the effort and educating citizens about the serious health implications of this practice. A natural serving of chicken, without saltwater and seaweed extract contains 70 mg of sodium but “enhanced chicken” can contain up to 370 mg of sodium per serving – that’s more sodium than a bag of potato chips!

The outcry from American citizens continues to grow and they are demanding that the USDA take action. The TLC has submitted a formal petition to the USDA requesting that this common sense reform be made. Members of Congress are beginning to hear from their constituents as well. In just the last 24 hours, several thousand constituents have contacted more than 400 Members of Congress urging them to compel the USDA to tighten rules on the use of the term “natural” on fresh chicken. Two congressmen, Rep. Dennis Cardoza (D-CA) and Rep. Chip Pickering (R-MS), have taken the lead in educating their colleagues about this important issue.

The TLC Chickens will be roosting at the same Metro stops tomorrow (Capitol South, Union Station, and Smithsonian) during both morning and evening rush hours to bring attention to the issue of truthful natural labeling of fresh chicken.


Photographs and video are available upon request.

Contact Information

Hilary Koehl Riedemann

Spokesperson

Truthful Labeling Coalition (TLC)

Contact via E-mail