Day 030 - 03 Oct 94 - Page 36


     
     1        that is not a manufacturer so much as a caterer, of course
     2        as McDonald's are, can change the nature of the food that
     3        is served, not only by changing the composition of
     4        standard items like burgers, but also by adding items that
     5        are available in the shops.  Again, I believe McDonald's
     6        have done to an extent in the States and to some extent
     7        have done here as well.
     8
     9        Going back to your question, if your question is:  Do
    10        I believe McDonald's are responsive to the view of
    11        government on fats, specifically on fat and heart disease
    12        and fat and obesity, the answer is, yes.  Indeed, the
    13        nutrition task force I mentioned before, of which I am an
    14        overall member, now has a project team specifically on the
    15        issue of reformulation of manufacture of common
    16        manufactured foods, and I think that McDonald's are
    17        represented on that task force, although I would have to
    18        check that.  But, again, how far they can go and how far
    19        they will go remains to be seen.
    20
    21   MR. MORRIS:  If, which we do not have to decide now, but if it
    22        is shown that the average McDonald's meal is higher in
    23        fat, salt, and sugar and lower in fibre and fresh fruit
    24        and vegetables than the average meal in the population,
    25        then what is the conclusion that someone like yourself
    26        would draw?
    27        A.  I would say that in as much as McDonald's serve in any
    28         -- serve a significant amount of food eaten by British
    29        people or serve a significant amount of food eaten by
    30        certain sectors of the British people, like vulnerable
    31        people, like children, and in as much as McDonald's
    32        advertise their foods and project their foods as
    33        desirable, then always with this qualification in as much
    34        as that is a significant proportion of the diet of
    35        individuals or groups in the population, then, yes, of
    36        course, they would then contribute to the general risk.
    37        I think it is important that a statement like that is not
    38        over stated.  I think it is unlikely that anyone in this
    39        court or anyone in the street outside this court is going
    40        to eat three McDonald's a day, or possibly even three a
    41        week, although I am sure many children do.  Three a week,
    42        I mean; not three a day.
    43
    44   Q.   When you say they make a contribution, does that mean that
    45        those high fats, high salt, high sugar meals, are making a
    46        contribution in terms of making the average worse rather
    47        than better?  Is that what you mean?
    48        A.  Yes.  I think you are labouring the point a little
    49        simple because I would go back to the original statement
    50        complained of. 
    51 
    52   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  Can you improve on what you have just said? 
    53        A.  No.
    54
    55   MR. MORRIS:  Is the average diet in this country considered to
    56        be healthy as a base line?
    57        A.  No.  That is the point.  I mean, the reason why there
    58        have been such very large number of reports published in
    59        the US, the UK, northern Europe, Australasia and now
    60        everywhere in the world, is the industrialised diet as

Prev Next Index