Poultry Isn't Frozen, It's `Hard Chilled'

WASHINGTON If a packaged chicken is frozen solid, it's not"fresh," the Agriculture Department has decided.

But don't go calling it frozen, either: Such a bird probablywill be labeled "hard chilled" under a new rule announced Thursday.

The rule is intended to clear up confusion in supermarket aislesby prohibiting fresh labels on frozen birds. It takes effect in ayear.

Currently, poultry that has been chilled to as low as 0 degreesFahrenheit - frozen stiff - can be sold as fresh. …