Day 016 - 22 Jul 94 - Page 55
1 farming methods; is that right?
A. Yes, again I would need to go back and look at the
2 original papers on this, but I think that the application
of nitrogenous fertilizers can have an effect on the
3 actual concentration of nitrate in fruit and vegetables,
but I do not carry the details around in my head.
4
Q. OK. I do not really want to get sidetracked.
5 Let me just come back to the use of sodium nitrate and
nitrites?
6 A. Yes, well, I think you have to accept that if it is
satisfactory in people who normally have a much higher
7 level, then there is not really going to be a problem with
meat eaters where the level in the diet is much lower.
8
Q. It does not actually say it is satisfactory and, as I say,
9 we have not seen the report so we cannot really go into
detail about that.
10
MR. RAMPTON: I am wondering about that. I cannot find my
11 Professor Walker's volume at the moment, but I rather
suspect that it may be in there in which case the
12 defendants either have not bothered to read it or -----
13 MS. STEEL: Or have not had time to read all the papers
relating to Mr. Walker yet because he has not giving
14 evidence yet. I do not particularly want to get
sidetracked anyway.
15
MR. JUSTICE BELL: In any event, on this point we have just had
16 evidence from this witness that there is no evidence that
he is aware that the levels in a vegetarian diet, albeit
17 higher than those in an omnivorous diet, do any harm to
the person following the vegetarian diet.
18
MS. STEEL: But going back to the use of sodium nitrate to
19 preserve meat, you were saying something this morning
about you can actually use different methods of
20 preservation, is that right?
A. Yes.
21
Q. So, instead of using sodium nitrate other methods could be
22 used?
A. No, you could not make bacon because nitrate is an
23 essential constituent in the curing process. You could
preserve pig meat in other ways. You would not be able to
24 do that with beef.
25 MS. STEEL: So it is a problem related to meat?
26 MR. JUSTICE BELL: What is the problem? What are you saying
the problem is?
27
MS. STEEL: According to what Mr. Wheelock said himself, there
28 are concerns and that the SCF is, understandably,
cautious. Bearing in mind the caution expressed by the
29 SCF, have you advised McDonald's to stop using this
particular additive?
30 A. No, I have not, because I accept the conclusions that
have been reached, bearing in mind the way of the
