Day 032 - 06 Oct 94 - Page 55


     
     1
     2   MR. MORRIS:  I only brought it up because I did not know what
     3        role it played.
     4
     5   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  I do not think with all the information we
     6        have, it will advance matters very much.
     7
     8   MR. MORRIS:  (To the witness):  Some final questions: You said
     9        before that fast food prevalence is on the rise; is that
    10        correct?
    11        A.  That is my understanding, yes.
    12
    13   Q.   There have been some recent developments, for instance,
    14        McDonald's have opened up canteens in or restaurants in
    15        hospitals and, I believe, they also in common with other
    16        fast food companies have promotions in schools?
    17        A.  Yes.
    18
    19   Q.   In fact, in America, I believe, they actually have
    20        branches in schools.  Would you like to comment on that?
    21        A.  Well, clearly, it has been of concern to see this
    22        development, that we have noted that various health
    23        workers in health districts have been upset to find their
    24        health authority is negotiating with fast food companies
    25        such as McDonald's -- usually it is McDonald's -- to
    26        provide catering services in a hospital usually for
    27        visitors.
    28
    29   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  Is it patients or visitors?
    30        A.  Visitors rather than patients, and in schools the
    31        promotion tends to take a different form.  My
    32        understanding is that they would offer vouchers to go to a
    33        local McDonald's in return for certain school
    34        accomplishments.  So they are indeed promoting themselves
    35        both to the young and also as a healthy or having the aura
    36        of health around them, by being accepted by Area Health
    37        Authorities as providing catering.
    38
    39   Q.   What do you mean by "school accomplishments"?
    40        A.  It could be a team of accomplishments.
    41
    42   Q.   What does "accomplishment" mean?
    43        A.  Winning at sports or providing certain activities.
    44        I am not aware of the details of these promotions, only
    45        that such vouchers are being offered.
    46
    47   MR. MORRIS:  To go to even younger children.  Have you any view
    48        about the use of provision of toys as part of the meals at
    49        McDonald's?
    50        A.  Well, again these are used to induce and to encourage 
    51        children to pester their parents to persuade them to go to 
    52        that particular fast food outlet, possibly to replace 
    53        eating in with eating out as well, but that is more
    54        arguable. I think when it comes to things like birthday
    55        parties as well you are, in fact, looking at the provision
    56        of entertainment of which food is an incidental part.
    57        Children are being attracted to fast food stores now for
    58        their entertainment value as much as for their food and
    59        nutritional value.
    60

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