Day 297 - 08 Nov 96 - Page 33


     
     1        clearly a great deal of evidence that goes beyond the point
     2        of links being simply speculations or associations or
     3        suspicions, and that the relationship between diet and
     4        cancer is well established.  That was day 36, page 54.
     5        Dr. Barnard commented that because obesity is known to
     6        increase the risk of breast cancer it is quite safe to say
     7        that dietary factors are known to increase the risk of
     8        chronic diseases, including cancer.  That was day 36, page
     9        5, 54 as well.
    10
    11        Referring to a National Cancer Institute publication in
    12        1994, Dr. Barnard commented that the NCI were firm in
    13        saying that a change in diet can lower the risk of getting
    14        colorectal cancer, and that that was beyond speculation.
    15        That was day 36, page 57.  Dr. Barnard agreed that there
    16        was an indication of a causal nature contained in the
    17        McDonald's publication 'Good Food, Nutrition and
    18        McDonald's', and that they also acknowledged in the
    19        publication that diet was an important contributory factor
    20        to these diseases, including cancer.  Day 36, page 57 as
    21        well.
    22
    23        Can I just say that we have not gone through Professor
    24        Campbell and Jane Brophy, but I am going to do that and
    25        through the later parts of Professor Crawford's evidence.
    26        I am going to do that over the weekend.
    27
    28   MR. JUSTICE BELL:   Right.
    29
    30   MS. STEEL:   As much as we can.  I was going to move on to the
    31        fourth part of the meaning that you determined.  The part
    32        that McDonald's know this, i.e. the links between diet and
    33        cancer and heart disease, but do not make it clear; they
    34        still sell their food and deceive their customers by
    35        claiming that their food is a useful and nutritious part of
    36        the diet.
    37
    38        When Professor Wheelock was being cross-examined, I think
    39        he accepted that it may not have been until 1989 or later
    40        that saturated fats were mentioned anywhere in McDonald's
    41        leaflets.  That was on day 16, page 16.  And that was
    42        despite the fact that the effect of saturated fats, and
    43        their importance because of the effect, was known about
    44        long before that; for example, NACNE were making
    45        recommendations in 1983.  Day 15, page 17.
    46
    47        Professor Wheelock accepted that it was not sensible to
    48        encourage people to eat food high in fat, saturated fat,
    49        sodium and sugar and low in fibre -- that was day 15, page
    50        18 -- which is obviously the complete opposite of what
    51        McDonald's are doing.  He also accepted that advertising is
    52        a factor which is one factor which governs people's diets.
    53        That was day 15, page 19.  He was aware that McDonald's
    54        advertising does not carry any warning about risks to
    55        health.  That was day 16, page 11.  He accepted that it
    56        would be reasonable to advise people to be careful if they
    57        are eating a diet high in fat, sugar, sodium and low in
    58        fibre, that that has been linked to heart disease.  That
    59        was day 16, page 18.  That would be minimum.
    60

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