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.
