Day 016 - 22 Jul 94 - Page 11
1 that a balanced diet includes foods from each of the four
basic food groups each day, which is something which is
2 emphasised in America. Again you have to remember that
this is not the only source of information that people in
3 America will get.
4 Q. There is nothing in here about the health risks associated
with too much sodium, for example?
5 A. No, there is not. But if you are doing any kind of
publication and, you know, particularly when advertising,
6 there has to be a limit as to what you put in.
7 Q. Yes. Do you think it is right to limit the most important
information? You said it was important yesterday that
8 people had information on which to base ---
A. Yes.
9
Q. -- how they plan their diet?
10 A. We are looking at one particular advertisement from
one particular company. You have to remember that there
11 will be lots of other information available. I mean,
I know, in particular, that the US Department of
12 Agriculture, the Department of Health and Human Services
has put out massive amounts of publicity. I think it is
13 to the credit of McDonald's that they have reflected the
key points of this in their advertising.
14
Q. They do not tell people their food is high in fat and salt
15 and sugar?
A. Yes, they do. They provide the information on the
16 composition in numerous leaflets. We have been over that
ground repeatedly.
17
Q. In the adverts they do not put explicit warnings: "This
18 food could damage your health if it is eaten in large
quantities"?
19 A. No, they do not. I do not think there is any
disagreement about that.
20
Q. But I think you did agree that if people ate it two or
21 three times a day at least it would be bad for their
health?
22 A. Yes. Can I say that we did agree that that was a
hypothetical situation, and perhaps I might just point out
23 that if McDonald's are to be criticised on those grounds,
then you may remember that we also produced evidence to
24 show that people who are vegetarians, vegetarian school
girls, suffer from three times the anaemia of school girls
25 who are not vegetarians. If you are going to criticise
McDonald's on those grounds, you ought equally to
26 criticise the people who are advocating vegetarianism for
young school girls.
27
Q. Why are you placing particular reliance on that study?
28 A. Because it has been published in reputable journals by
a reputable research group.
29
Q. So does that make it true?
30 A. It certainly makes it something which should be taken
seriously.
