Day 021 - 29 Jul 94 - Page 38
1 Q. And?
A. Well, I am talking here about any kind of -----
2
MR. JUSTICE BELL: All conceivable risks it is dealing with, is
3 it?
A. It is, that is right, that might in any way be related
4 to the food we eat.
5 MR. MORRIS: So, in terms of reducing risks, you are saying it
would not be costly, that would be no problem then?
6 A. No, I did not say that.
7 Q. If we do not talk about all conceivable risks because I do
not think anyone is talking about all conceivable risks,
8 if we talk about reducing ill-health problems and diet,
yes?
9 A. That is a separate issue.
10 Q. Is there cost considerations then for McDonald's, would
you advise them?
11 A. Well, as a general statement, there is always a
possibility that there would be costs considerations. I
12 do not think that is at issue.
13 MR. JUSTICE BELL: What I think Mr. Morris is getting at is in
your first point you talk about avoiding all conceivable
14 risks ---
A. Yes.
15
Q. -- but that all conceivable risks are not relevant, do not
16 appear in the second point, nor do they appear in the
third point, so you seem to be saying in that sentence,
17 "Third", could be treated as saying that there may be
some compromise on safety aspects because of cost; is that
18 what are you saying or not?
A. Yes, as a general statement, yes.
19
MR. MORRIS: Yes, but I mean -----
20 A. If I can just give an example? It is probably easier
to do it in relation to the presence of pathogenic
21 bacteria. Clearly, there could be -- I mean, the level of
specification and the number of checks that have to be
22 carried out in a plant and during the course of the
operation are going to have an effect on the total cost.
23
Q. Leave that aside. How does this third point relate, if at
24 all, to McDonald's food? I mean, if it is just a general
statement, there we are, but Mr. Morris may be thinking it
25 relates to McDonald's?
A. It is a general statement dealing with the issues
26 specifically of trying to achieve absolute safety.
27 MR. MORRIS: So, setting aside absolute safety, which you would
probably agree is completely unobtainable.
28
MR. JUSTICE BELL: That is what you say.
29 A. Yes.
30 MR. MORRIS: It is an absolute?
A. Yes.
