Day 024 - 15 Sep 94 - Page 33
1 differently. It may be said they make the same point, but
2 there have clearly been separate different drafts in each
3 State writing them.
4
5 THE WITNESS: They are referring to the three letters, 127, 131
6 and 133.
7
8 MR. MORRIS: We read from Exhibit 7. I believe it is identical
9 to 131; I believe it is exactly the same document.
10
11 MR. JUSTICE BELL: The point I am making, 131 is the same as
12 Exhibit 7, just another photocopy.
13
14 THE WITNESS: Yes.
15
16 MR. JUSTICE BELL: But 127 and 133 are expressed differently to
17 page 131, which is Exhibit 7. That is the only point I am
18 making
19
20 MR. MORRIS: I am just reading out from Exhibit 7. I will ask
21 for your comments: "Dear Mr. Rensi, The Attorneys General
22 of Texas, California, and New York have concluded our
23 joint review of McDonald's recent advertising campaign
24 which claims that McDonald's food is nutritious. Our
25 mutual conclusion is that this advertising campaign is
26 deceptive. We therefore request that McDonald's
27 immediately cease and desist further use of this
28 advertising campaign.
29
30 The reason for this is simple: McDonald's food is, as a
31 whole, not nutritious. The intent and result of the
32 current campaign is to deceive consumers into believing
33 the opposite. Fast food customers often choose to go to
34 McDonald's because it is inexpensive and convenient. They
35 should not be fooled into eating there because you have
36 told them it is also nutritious.
37
38 McDonald's calculated move to promote its food as
39 nutritious is a giant step backward from the gains made
40 last summer when McDonald's, at the insistence of our
41 three states and together with the other major fast food
42 restaurants, agreed to provide booklets to its customers
43 giving the nutrition facts on its food.
44
45 With these booklets, consumers can make their own
46 decisions whether or not to eat at McDonald's -- and what
47 to eat when they get there.
48
49 The new campaign appears intended to pull the wool over
50 the public's eyes. Let's consider a few of the specific
51 claims made in your ads.
52
53 1. The ad discussing salt (sodium) content in foods says,
54 'Our sodium is down across the menu.'" Emphasising it
55 across the menu. "This is not true. That same ad lists
56 four products (regular fries, regular cheeseburger,
57 6-piece McNuggetts, and vanilla milkshake) none of which
58 have had their sodium content lowered in the past year.
59
60 2. The ad touting the 'real' milk in McDonald's shakes
