Day 125 - 12 May 95 - Page 16


     
     1   Q.   So why have some health authorities banned it then?
     2
     3   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  Do not answer that question because it is
     4        purely a matter of judgment for one authority or another.
     5        The only question is whether what McDonald's do is safe or
     6        unsafe.  Some people may be over-cautious, they may not.
     7
     8   THE WITNESS:  My Lord, I would say -----
     9
    10   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  Do not, please.  If I suggest to someone that
    11        they should not ask further questions, or that you should
    12        not answer it.  It does not help, Mr. Beavers, if you press
    13        on.
    14
    15   MS. STEEL:   People, who have made statements to give as
    16        evidence in this court, have reported incidents of maggots
    17        being found in shake machines when they are not cleaned out
    18        overnight; when they come in in the morning they find
    19        maggots in the shake machines.  Is that something that has
    20        been a problem in America, on occasions?
    21        A.  I am not aware of anything like that.  I will tell you
    22        this, that besides the sanitation practices that you see
    23        outlined here, we have independent labs to visit our
    24        restaurants from time to time and make unscheduled visits.
    25
    26   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  What is being suggested here, you are being
    27        asked whether you know of occasion where maggots have been
    28        found in shake machines.
    29        A.  No.
    30
    31   MS. STEEL:   On the next page, page 21, it does say:  "Failure
    32        to clean McDonald's shake machine daily will create
    33        problems in terms of bacterial contamination".  So,
    34        although you may no have maggots, there are other problems?
    35        A.  There is a potential for problems if these procedures
    36        are not followed.  That is the reason for having a manual.
    37        We want to be clear and upfront to all our personnel in the
    38        restaurant, and let them know how our pieces of equipment
    39        should be put together, cleaned and maintained, and, if
    40        they do not do so, what the implications are, or what the
    41        possibilities are if we do not.
    42
    43   MR. MORRIS:  One question on that?  The disassembling of
    44        equipment, the ability to do that effectively; would you
    45        say that was a pretty fundamental responsibility that you
    46        take seriously?
    47        A.  It is something we take seriously, yes.  I think
    48        we -----
    49
    50   Q.   Would you say it was fundamental to hygiene or bacterial 
    51        considerations? 
    52        A.  The disassembly of the machine? 
    53
    54   Q.   Yes, the ability to do that properly?
    55        A.  Yes.  It is important to do it correctly.
    56
    57   MS. STEEL:  If you could turn to bundle page 81, internal page
    58        475.  This is in the personnel section.  In the right-hand
    59        column at the bottom the last paragraph:
    60

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