Day 032 - 06 Oct 94 - Page 77


     
     1        A.  Of course, yes.
     2
     3   Q.   If they were eating at McDonald's even only once a week
     4        but eating the same types of food either at other outlets
     5        or at home, do you think that McDonald's would still have
     6        some kind of responsibility?
     7        A.  I tried to indicate that.  I believe they would
     8        because they are the leading promoter and the leading
     9        company in the area, yes, in the market.
    10
    11   MR. MORRIS:  Just on the subject of times eating at McDonald's
    12        before Helen comes back with the last question:  These
    13        figures that you have expressed concern about on the
    14        frequency of visits, I cannot put my hands on it now, but
    15        we have some American figures indicating something like 27
    16        per cent -- I cannot remember the figures now -- the
    17        indications were that the super heavy users were a much
    18        greater proportion than in England.  Would this be
    19        something which is -- you said earlier you were worried
    20        about trends?
    21        A.  That would be an example of the sort of trend.  If we
    22        are to follow the American pattern, and if, indeed, we are
    23        to consume burgers in the sort of quantities that appear
    24        to be consumed in America, then obviously the impact on
    25        health will be that much greater.  As a trend, it is
    26        something to look at now rather than wait until it has
    27        happened.
    28
    29   MS. STEEL:   Just one final question.  This is a document which
    30        we have just got hold of.  It is a McDonald's document.
    31        (Handed)  I only want to refer to one sentence in it.
    32        Mr. Rampton put it to you that if you ate a McDonald's, if
    33        I eat a McDonald's meal a week, I must balance that with
    34        my diet not for that day but for the rest of the week,
    35        must I not?  Could you look at the column headed
    36        "McDonald's today"?
    37        A.  Yes.
    38
    39   Q.   Look at the fourth paragraph, the very last sentence, "the
    40        goal is to keep sight of your daily intake".  This is a
    41        McDonald's own document.  Would you agree with that or
    42        would you go further or would you say that your statement
    43        about recommending a healthy diet overall goes further
    44        than that?
    45        A.  Normally, I would not actually go as far as that.  I
    46        would not normally say that every day it should be
    47        balanced.  I find that an amusing statement to have come
    48        from McDonald's.
    49
    50   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  It might be sensible in that it may not be 
    51        necessary? 
    52        A.  As a goal, I think it is correct. 
    53
    54   Q.   It is a sensible goal because if you look after each day
    55        you will look after the longer period as well?
    56        A.  Yes.
    57
    58   MS. STEEL:   Would it be fair to say that, obviously, there are
    59        occasions when you go over your daily intake, that is not
    60        going to harm you, but, as a general rule, it is better to

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