Day 016 - 22 Jul 94 - Page 23
1 anybody to say that.
2 MR. RAMPTON: If this is a reference to the pamphlet, then
perhaps Professor Wheelock (who is an expert) can be shown
3 it and asked whether he thinks that is reasonably put and
good advice.
4
MS. STEEL: I think he should answer the question.
5
MR. JUSTICE BELL: Try to answer the question. I am not
6 suggesting at the end of the day it will help me one way
or the other, but put the question again. Let us start
7 again.
8 MS. STEEL: Based on the statistical study we have looked at
today and other ones that exist, is it reasonable ----
9
MR. JUSTICE BELL: Would it not be better to miss out "based on
10 the statistical studies we have seen", because we can take
that to be all part of his background, knowledge and
11 expertise.
12 MS. STEEL: OK. Is it reasonable for people to give advice
that a diet high in fat and low in fibre has been linked
13 to cancers of the breast and bowel?
A. My position on this is quite clear. It is because of
14 all the evidence there is available on links between diet
and heart disease, diet and obesity, diet and cancer, such
15 as it is, because after all if a person is concerned to
have a healthy diet and to ensure at least to take steps
16 they will not contract a major disease in the future, they
are not particularly bothered; if you are healthy at the
17 moment you are not worried -- you really want to take
steps to avoid everything.
18
So the advice that has been formulated in this country is
19 based on the totality of the evidence that there is
available in relation to all kind of diseases and diet,
20 and that has been distilled in this report on dietary
reference. It has been taken up in an official policy
21 document Health of the Nation where we have a target to
reduce fat in the diet in order to improve health. I have
22 given you the exact figures and I really cannot see --
there is no I point at all into going into great detail as
23 to whether it is bowel cancer or heart disease or
whatever.
24
I think you have to put the whole lot together and you
25 come to that conclusion, which I support, and I have gone
on record as supporting, and which is contained in the
26 McDonald's Corporate Eating Policy, that they support the
targets in the health of the nation. Quite frankly, to
27 expect any company to go any further is quite
unreasonable, in my view.
28
MS. STEEL: Is there some reason why you do not want to answer
29 the question?
A. In my view, I have answered the question.
30
Q. Could you try giving a one or two word answer so I can
