Day 014 - 20 Jul 94 - Page 53


     
     1        nitrites, particularly, may convert into nitroso
              compounds?
     2        A.  That is right.
 
     3   Q.   In the in vivo in the body?
              A.  Yes.
     4
         Q.   It is certain, is it not, that certain of those nitroso
     5        compounds are carcinogenic?
              A.  That is right.  I should point out that just because
     6        it has been demonstrated under laboratory conditions that
              a compound has been shown to be carcinogenic does not, of
     7        course, mean it actually causes cancer in humans.
 
     8   Q.   I should have asked that you that further question.  When
              I said "carcinogenic", I was going to ask you,
     9        carcinogenic to what and whom in what circumstances?  And
              you say laboratory conditions.  I want to explore that a
    10        bit further.  To experimental animals?
              A.  Yes, I am not familiar with the actual details.
    11
         Q.   But, generally speaking?
    12        A.  Yes, and, of course, again it would be very dependent
              on the dose that was used.
    13
         Q.   I am not asking you to trespass on Professor Walker's
    14        territory.  We will have all that next week.  But
              obviously it is necessary, so you tell us, for you to have
    15        some knowledge ---
              A.  That is right.
    16
         Q.   -- of what substances are or are not safe in human use.
    17        The sort of dosages involved in experimental work in
              animals in a laboratory are they similar to the sort of
    18        dosages allowed by regulation in humans, or are they
              greater or smaller?
    19        A.  Normally, they would be much higher, and based on the
              results of these laboratory investigations, then the
    20        decisions would be made as to how much would be allowed to
              be used in foods in practice.
    21
         Q.   Can I take you very quickly through condemned additives --
    22        I say "condemned", condemned by the defendants -- and ask
              you in turn about each one the same question, which is
    23        this: Are you aware of any convincing or credible
              scientific evidence that these additives in the quantities
    24        in which they are permitted to be used by McDonald's in
              food constitutes any significant hazard to human health?
    25        That is the question each time.  I will go through the
              substances and ask you whether your answer is "yes" or 
    26        "no".  First of all, sunset yellow? 
              A.  No, I am not aware of any information that would 
    27        suggest it would be dangerous.
 
    28   Q.   Amaranth?
              A.  No.
    29
         Q.   Sodium nitrate?
    30        A.  No.
 

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