Day 055 - 25 Nov 94 - Page 43
1 recommendations of what is a healthy, balanced diet.
2
3 Q. But, in terms of promotion, to go to McDonald's, McDonald's
4 say to children, they promote Happy Meals. If they take
5 their responsibility to the Health of the Nation Initiative
6 seriously, do you think that will affect which items they
7 might promote?
8 A. Well, I was concerned to see from the advertising reel
9 that I saw that the Happy Meals actually prevented children
10 from making healthier choices and that it excluded the
11 choice of milk and orange juice from those meals. They
12 could have what was termed a regular soft drink, but that
13 did not include orange juice or milk.
14
15 So I think, certainly, one -- certainly, I think that the
16 marketing strategies such as that are not helping to
17 encourage healthier eating amongst children. I would like
18 to see, for example, that particular policy. I am sure it
19 is just one, but that is one area in which changes, I would
20 feel, could be made.
21
22 Q. Mr. Hawkes, McDonald's Head of Marketing, as far as I
23 understand it, in this country, said that in his department
24 he could not recall any memos regarding the Health of the
25 Nation.
26
27 What would you expect a company that supported the Health
28 of the Nation's recommendations -- how would that affect
29 the company as a whole and the departments?
30 A. I think the Health of the Nation sets the context for a
31 review of all the practices and procedures within the
32 company. Therefore, it is something that all departments
33 of a food producing, marketing, distribution, retailing
34 company should consider; and I would hope that if companies
35 were responding responsibly and positively towards the
36 health of the nation, that that is something they would
37 initiate at as early a stage as possible.
38
39 Q. From the evidence which you have heard so far about
40 McDonald's Back to the Health of the Nation, what is your
41 conclusion about their claims of support for the Health of
42 the Nation Initiative?
43 A. I have heard that they say they support it. The only
44 evidence I have heard is that somebody had not received a
45 memo. Obviously, I do not fully understand what might have
46 gone elsewhere within the company. To that extent, I have
47 not heard more than words of support, rather than -----
48
49 MR. JUSTICE BELL: You have been here for some of the evidence
50 only. Are you really able to answer that question from
51 your particular aspect?
52 A. I am unaware what other evidence might have been
53 presented when I have not been here, but perhaps that was
54 not the question.
55
56 MR. MORRIS: If the McDonald's advertising department had no
57 memos and no review of change of course -----
58
59 MR. JUSTICE BELL: This really is a matter of comment, is it
60 not? I do not know whether Ms. Dibb -- it is a point I was
