Day 016 - 22 Jul 94 - Page 53


     
     1        using it, it is not necessarily because they had concerns
              about safety.  There may have been other factors in
     2        relation to the manufacturing process, but again I have no
              knowledge, so that would only be speculation on my part.
     3
         Q.   According to the booklet -- we have referred to it earlier
     4         -- nutrition and ingredient issues in the USA.  There is
              a question:  "I have an allergy to BHA and/or BHT,
     5        artificial flavours and artificial colours, what foods can
              I eat at McDonald's?"  Underneath it says:  "We have
     6        eliminated BHT, sodium nitrate and sulphurising agents
              from all of our products".  So, presumably, they did that
     7        because they were concerned about people's health?
              A.  I have no idea.
     8
         Q.   You do not know?
     9        A.  No, but it would not automatically follow that it was
              because of safety.  There could have been other reasons
    10        for it as well.
 
    11   Q.   BHA and BHT are not permitted in foods specifically
              intended for babies and young children, are they?
    12        A.  No, but then regulatory authorities are particularly
              careful about the additives which are used for children
    13        and young people.
 
    14   Q.   Because of concerns for health?
              A.  Well, no.  It is also related to the need side of the
    15        equation.
 
    16   Q.   So, what steps does McDonald's take to advise customers
              that products containing these particular additives, it
    17        would be a good idea to avoid giving them to their
              children or young children?
    18        A.  Well, I do not see that that is particularly
              relevant.  I do not actually know offhand what kind of cut
    19        off date there is in age, but I seem to recollect it is
              fairly young.  I think I must emphasise that it is
    20        directed at foods which are specifically designated for
              young people.
    21
              Of course, what you have to remember is that if those
    22        young people are also eating foods at home, they will
              actually be taking in those additives; so that is not
    23        recognised, in my view, as being a problem.
 
    24   Q.   Yes, but if there is enough concern to say that it would
              be better not to put it in food intended for babies and
    25        young children, would it not be wise to try to avoid
              feeding that kind of additive to young children anyway? 
    26        A.  No, I think, as I explained, this is food which is 
              specifically designated for young children and part of the 
    27        reasoning would follow from the fact that it is not
              actually needed.
    28
         Q.   Right.  But then they do not need to eat it in the other
    29        food either, do they?
              A.  No.  This is in relation to that particular type of
    30        food.
 

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