Day 064 - 08 Dec 94 - Page 62
1 initiative, was it?
2 A. Well, I will not say that was the only reason. The
3 United States had made that change some time before that
4 and we as I said to earlier we do follow their lead in
5 these areas.
6
7 Q. So is there anything else practically you can think of that
8 you have done?
9 A. Not since the Health of the Nation initiative, no.
10
11 Q. Since you said that we are backing the Health of the Nation
12 initiative?
13 A. I think that is a pretty big change; changing the
14 shortening in the restaurants, eliminating beef tallow,
15 that is a pretty big change; reducing the fat in cheese,
16 that is a big change also.
17
18 Q. If I put it to you that your claims to support the Health
19 of the Nation are without foundation and that you are using
20 them as a propaganda exercise, what would you reply?
21 A. That is nonsense.
22
23 Q. You said that Professor Wheelock has been giving you advice
24 on reducing fat. Is that correct?
25 A. Yes, he has.
26
27 Q. Since 1991?
28 A. Yes.
29
30 Q. That was a on a voluntary basis, in his spare time?
31 A. Pardon?
32
33 Q. You said something about he was giving you advice on a
34 voluntary basis?
35 A. No, he has never worked with us on a voluntary basis.
36
37 Q. Maybe I have got it wrong. I wrote it down at the time.
38 So, can you just explain what Professor Wheelock's role is
39 again?
40 A. He provides a consultancy to McDonald's for nutrition.
41
42 Q. Which involves what exactly?
43 A. Well, he is very progressive in encouraging us to make
44 changes to our menu. That is why we retain him within the
45 brief that we must not change the taste of the products.
46
47 Q. I might be wrong, we have not much time now, but I believe
48 you said in examination by Mr. Rampton that he was
49 providing you information about government legislation and
50 that he gave you advice on a voluntary basis to reduce ----
51
52 MR. JUSTICE BELL: Not on a voluntary basis. It was something to
53 the effect that he advised them on government legislation
54 as it affected McDonald's, but not voluntary.
55
56 MR. MORRIS: So he is your nutritional consultant?
57 A. Yes.
58
59 Q. You have a permanent nutritional consultant, Professor
60 Wheelock?
