Day 017 - 25 Jul 94 - Page 57
1 Q. May I read the Conclusions 3.5.6. on page 52: "The Panel
concluded that there is currently insufficient evidence on
2 which to base a recommendation for an decrease in fat
intakes to prevent cancer, although an increase in
3 consumption of any fatty acids should not be encouraged.
The Panel agreed that the DRV's based on other
4 considerations presented in paragraph 3.8 were consistent
with a prudent view of the current data relating dietary
5 fat and occurrence of cancer."
6 I inform you, though I know you probably know it anyway,
the recommendations for dietary reference values for fat
7 are saturated fat ten per cent of total dietary energy,
total fat 33 per cent. That is in paragraph 3.8. If you
8 want to have a look: (i) and (vi). 33 per cent if you
include alcohol; 35 per cent if you exclude it. This was
9 written probably in 1991, though this is a revised edition
for 1994; in some respects revised; looking at it from
10 your perspective as a person who spent many years
considering this topic, do those conclusions appear to you
11 to be sensible?
A. Yes, I think these conclusions are very fair, bearing
12 in mind the current level of knowledge about the factors
they discuss.
13
Q. Do the panel's recommendations for the consumption of fat
14 expressed as a percentage of total energy intake appear to
you to be sensible?
15 A. It seems very reasonable, yes.
16 Q. Are you conscious that in some parts of America it has
been suggested that somewhat lower percentages of fat as
17 an intake of energy are advised?
A. Yes. They have suggested energy levels as low as 25
18 or even 20 per cent.
19 Q. That is right. One of these papers we have in your
references. Maybe even Wynder's paper, 20 to 25, I think,
20 of which only a third has saturated fat, 8.3 per cent. Is
there any significance in that difference of view between
21 the Americans and the British?
A. No. I think Wynder is an enthusiast. I think that
22 perhaps explains why he is suggesting these levels. If
you actually look objectively at the scientific evidence
23 available there is no justification for suggesting that 20
to 25 per cent is better than 30 per cent or 35 per cent.
24
Q. When you say "Wynder is an enthusiast", what do you mean
25 by that?
A. I think he has been one of the first persons to
26 propose relationship between diet and cancer, particularly
colorectal cancer, and we all sometimes fall into the trap
27 of putting ourselves into one corner and being reluctant
to come out of that corner, even though the scientific
28 evidence is not supportive of that. I think he has maybe
got into a position that he has a belief, that he believes
29 this is the way things should go; some of his studies have
suggested that this is the way things should go; and he is
30 reluctant to move from that particular position.
