Day 016 - 22 Jul 94 - Page 59
1
MS. STEEL: Concern about the use of food additives which are
2 not strictly necessary.
3 MR. MORRIS: My understanding is that MSG is put in as a
flavour enhancer and, basically, there is absolutely no
4 need for it to be used at all. Now that is not
necessarily our position, but that is my personal -- my
5 personal preference in my food is that I avoid MSG like
the plague, because the food should taste good because it
6 tastes good.
7 Our general case is that if McDonald's is using force
three additives throughout its food range, largely they
8 may be for trivial purposes, some may be for useful
purposes, fair enough, but in trivial cases, such as
9 colour which we generally criticise, if there is any doubt
about their harmfulness or harmlessness, then the benefit
10 of doubt should be given to the consumer.
11 MR. RAMPTON: My Lord, I am sorry, I know it is discourteous,
I know your Lordship does not like it. This is a long
12 trial. These are busy witnesses. I know now that
Professor Wheelock would find it difficult to come back on
13 Monday. The defendants' case in relation to additives is
summarised on pages 13 and 14 of tab 3 of the abstract of
14 pleadings.
15 I really do implore your Lordship to make the defendants
adhere to their pleaded case. We are now wandering into
16 territory where members of the public are concerned
whether or not there should be large or small amounts, or
17 whether it is trivial or not. My Lord, it has nothing to
do with the case whatsoever. "Particularly noxious or
18 damaging qualities are attributed by this pleading". That
is subparagraph 5 on page 13 going through to the end of
19 page 14, to each and every one of these additives. Not a
single one of those supposed characteristics has been put
20 to this witness. Take monosodium glutamate.
21 THE WITNESS: Where are we?
22 MR. RAMPTON: You have not got this document. I will read it
out. Page 40, 6.2.1 which is not an E number. Monosodium
23 glutamate: "It is said by the defendants", this is the
beginning and the end of their case.
24
MS. STEEL: Can I interrupt here?
25
MR. JUSTICE BELL: You just wait.
26
MR. RAMPTON: This is a formal objection.
27
MR. JUSTICE BELL: Please sit down. You will have your turn in
28 a moment.
29 MS. STEEL: I want to make something clear: We have said
before that we when pleaded our case we had difficulties
30 with it; it was agreed that our case could be based upon
what is in the witness statements, not just on what is in
