Day 037 - 14 Oct 94 - Page 28


     
     1        again and again, what we would be reading here, "That is
     2        why it is impossible to say that one day's food intake is
     3        impossible in isolation is better than another, one week's
     4        food intake in isolation, one year's food intake"; you
     5        know, how far do you go?  It is a tremendous get out.
     6
     7   Q.   That has been gone over in great detail.
     8        A.  Let me just mention in passing the next paragraph:  "A
     9        McDonald's menu offers a wide choice".  It does not.  It
    10        does not at all.  The items available are highly
    11        restricted, generally very high-in-fat, very low in
    12        important nutrients.  I have already made reference to
    13        leafy green vegetables and fruit.  That is untrue.
    14
    15        But from the choice available the implication is that it
    16        is possible to choose very healthy items.  It creates a
    17        misleading, utterly misleading impression.
    18
    19   Q.   On the other side of that page it says, on this subject of
    20        fat:  "Nutritionists advise that we should in particular
    21        keep an eye on how much fat".  Is that what nutritionists
    22        advise, that people should keep an eye on how much fat,
    23        sugar and salt we eat?
    24        A.  I am sure you will find a nutritionist who will say
    25        that somewhere, but they are probably employed by
    26        McDonald's.  The fact is that we should do rather more
    27        than keep an eye on the fat we consume.  We should jolly
    28        well do something about it.
    29
    30   Q.   In what direction?
    31        A.  Reduce it, of course, with particular reference to
    32        saturated fat in the diet.
    33
    34   Q.   What about below that heading:  "Where does McDonald's fit
    35        in?  We are not claiming that McDonald's provides every
    36        single nutrient you need for a healthy diet, but it can
    37        certainly play a very valuable part"?
    38        A.  They present no evidence there for that very
    39        questionable assumption other than implying previously --
    40        this is why I say it is something of a bonanza in terms of
    41        misleading copyrighting -- because previously they say,
    42        the previous column half way down:  "The best way to make
    43        sure you are eating a good variety is to select foods from
    44        these main food groups; the McDonald's group:  Cereal,
    45        meat, dairy, vegetable and oils".  It is not.  You know,
    46        to assume that oils and fats, sweets and chocolates are
    47        themselves a group which you should eat from in terms of
    48        variety is outrageous.  This is the bible of healthy
    49        eating according to McDonald's, and it is just plain
    50        wrong. 
    51 
    52   Q.   On the other side of the page, of that particular page, at 
    53        the bottom it says:  "McDonald's menu contains ingredients
    54        from all the food groups.  All good to eat, as well as
    55        being good news if you want to stay healthy".  Are they
    56        promoting their food as healthy food in itself, do you
    57        think?
    58        A.  It is obvious they are trying to do that.  They are
    59        trying to cloak themselves in the guard of healthy
    60        eating.  This is nothing more than unethical marketing.

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