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
