Day 032 - 06 Oct 94 - Page 77
1 A. Of course, yes.
2
3 Q. If they were eating at McDonald's even only once a week
4 but eating the same types of food either at other outlets
5 or at home, do you think that McDonald's would still have
6 some kind of responsibility?
7 A. I tried to indicate that. I believe they would
8 because they are the leading promoter and the leading
9 company in the area, yes, in the market.
10
11 MR. MORRIS: Just on the subject of times eating at McDonald's
12 before Helen comes back with the last question: These
13 figures that you have expressed concern about on the
14 frequency of visits, I cannot put my hands on it now, but
15 we have some American figures indicating something like 27
16 per cent -- I cannot remember the figures now -- the
17 indications were that the super heavy users were a much
18 greater proportion than in England. Would this be
19 something which is -- you said earlier you were worried
20 about trends?
21 A. That would be an example of the sort of trend. If we
22 are to follow the American pattern, and if, indeed, we are
23 to consume burgers in the sort of quantities that appear
24 to be consumed in America, then obviously the impact on
25 health will be that much greater. As a trend, it is
26 something to look at now rather than wait until it has
27 happened.
28
29 MS. STEEL: Just one final question. This is a document which
30 we have just got hold of. It is a McDonald's document.
31 (Handed) I only want to refer to one sentence in it.
32 Mr. Rampton put it to you that if you ate a McDonald's, if
33 I eat a McDonald's meal a week, I must balance that with
34 my diet not for that day but for the rest of the week,
35 must I not? Could you look at the column headed
36 "McDonald's today"?
37 A. Yes.
38
39 Q. Look at the fourth paragraph, the very last sentence, "the
40 goal is to keep sight of your daily intake". This is a
41 McDonald's own document. Would you agree with that or
42 would you go further or would you say that your statement
43 about recommending a healthy diet overall goes further
44 than that?
45 A. Normally, I would not actually go as far as that. I
46 would not normally say that every day it should be
47 balanced. I find that an amusing statement to have come
48 from McDonald's.
49
50 MR. JUSTICE BELL: It might be sensible in that it may not be
51 necessary?
52 A. As a goal, I think it is correct.
53
54 Q. It is a sensible goal because if you look after each day
55 you will look after the longer period as well?
56 A. Yes.
57
58 MS. STEEL: Would it be fair to say that, obviously, there are
59 occasions when you go over your daily intake, that is not
60 going to harm you, but, as a general rule, it is better to
