Day 021 - 29 Jul 94 - Page 41


     
     1         "We have decided we make money out of selling burgers and
              we are not interested in fruit", or there is some other
     2        reason.
 
     3   MR. MORRIS:  Right, OK.
 
     4   MS. STEEL:   Have you advised McDonald's to print nutritional
              information on their packaging?
     5        A.  No.
 
     6   Q.   You have not?
              A.  No.
     7
         Q.   Is that not something that would be helpful?
     8        A.  Well, the information is available in the booklets,
              and the booklets are normally there for anyone who wants
     9        to pick them up in the store.  As it so happens, I was in
              McDonald's myself last night and I had a yoghurt, and the
    10        information is actually on the yoghurt.
 
    11   Q.   Is that something new?  Is it on the burgers, on the
              burgers, on the packaging for the burgers?
    12        A.  No, it is not on the burgers, as far as I know anyway.
 
    13   Q.   And it is not on the chips, the wrappers for the chips?
              A.  No, but again there are the other booklets available
    14        and anybody who is interested may pick them up.
 
    15   Q.   Is it something that you will advise them to do?
              A.  No.
    16
         Q.   It is not.  What about putting up a prominent display of
    17        nutritional information next to the serving counter?
              A.  I think what McDonald's are doing at the present time
    18        is perfectly reasonable and, I mean, quite frankly, there
              are only a limited number of consumers who show interest
    19        in the nutritional information and who pick up the
              booklets.  It is all there if they want it.  I mean, how
    20        far do you spoon feed people?
 
    21   Q.   But when someone is rushing in to grab a Big Mac and then
              they are rushing out again, they amy not think to grab a
    22        leaflet, but if it was printed on the package, or slap
              bang in front of them as they came up to the counter, they
    23        might read it?
              A.  I think if they are rushing in and out, the last thing
    24        they want to think about is nutritional information.
 
    25   Q.   What about when they are taking their package away with
              them into their car, or walking down the street, whatever, 
    26        they might want to read it as they are eating so they know 
              what they are taking in, so that they can balance their 
    27        diet for the rest of the day or week?
              A.  Again I think it is a question of how far you actually
    28        want to spoon feed people.  I mean, in my knowledge and
              experience, what McDonald's do is pretty well ahead of the
    29        game and I think it is perfectly reasonable.
 
    30   Q.   But, as a nutritionist, do you not think it would be
              helpful, or do you not think you ought to advise them to

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