Day 014 - 20 Jul 94 - Page 55


     
     1
         MR. RAMPTON:  I am sorry, yes.  It is right, is it not,
     2        Professor Wheelock, that evidence did emerge some time in
              the late 1980s to the effect that potassium bromate might
     3        be damaging?
              A.  Yes.
     4
         Q.   And that is why it was withdrawn?
     5        A.  It was withdrawn, yes.
 
     6   Q.   Sodium nitrate, we have dealt with -- that is a
              preservative?
     7        A.  Yes, it also has other functions in relation to the
              production of bacon.
     8
         Q.   Allowing for the moment that your answer to the question
     9        whether there was any evidence that in the quantities in
              which it is used for humans, at any rate, in the sort of
    10        food supplied by McDonald's, carried any risk to damage to
              humans, to which your answer was, no, in what kind of
    11        substances do we find the highest proportions or
              quantities of sodium nitrate?
    12        A.  Well -----
 
    13   Q.   I mean in substances we eat?
              A.  Yes, it is an essential ingredient in the preparation
    14        or in the manufacture of bacon.
 
    15   Q.   Bacon, yes.  Do we find it in vegetables?
              A.  Naturally occurring?
    16
         Q.   Yes.
    17        A.  Oh, yes.
 
    18   Q.   In greater or less quantity than we find it in bacon?
              A.  Well, research has been done which has demonstrated
    19        that vegetarians, people who eat large quantities of fresh
              fruit and vegetables, have a much higher than average
    20        consumption of nitrates and nitrites.
 
    21   Q.   From which, according to your earlier answers, we can
              deduce they do not come to any harm?
    22        A.  I am not aware of any evidence that they do.
 
    23   Q.   Potassium nitrate -- what is the use of that in food?
              A.  Again the important part of the molecule is the
    24        nitrate part.
 
    25   Q.   It is a preservative?
              A.  Yes. 
    26 
         Q.   BHA, what is that used for? 
    27        A.  That is used as an antioxident which is to prevent the
              development of rancidity in cooking oils -- and other
    28        oils, for that matter.
 
    29   Q.   And BHT?
              A.  It is used in the same way.
    30
         Q.   Carrageenan is what?

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