Day 015 - 21 Jul 94 - Page 07

     
     1        has used.  That is all.
 
     2   MR. RAMPTON:  The defendants can ask him about that.  Can I ask
              you this, Professor Wheelock -----
     3
         MR. JUSTICE BELL:  That is part of the point of
     4        cross-examination.
 
     5   MS. STEEL:   Yes, I know, but he is saying we are accepting
              those figures -- that is all.
     6
         MR. RAMPTON:  Can I ask you, Professor Wheelock, who produces
     7        McDonald's figures?
              A.  They are analysed by independent laboratories.
     8
         Q.   McDonald's do not have their own laboratories?
     9        A.  No, they do not.
 
    10   Q.   Do you have a role in the production now since 1991 of
              McDonald's nutritional literature?
         A.  Yes, from time to time I am asked to advise on it.
 
    12   Q.   Do you review the figures which are produced by the
              independent analytical laboratories?
    13        A.  No, that is not part of my role.
 
    14   Q.   Are you satisfied of, shall I say, the competence and
              independence, impartiality of those laboratories?
    15        A.  Yes.
 
    16   Q.   Thank you very much.  Please remain there.
 
    17   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  Can I ask one matter which may or may not
              turn out to be relevant to any issue in the case; it is
    18        the question of labelling or giving details ---
              A.  Yes.
    19
         Q.   -- of the contents of packaged food.
    20        A.  Yes.
 
    Q.   Which might or might not be something to make a comparison
              with so far as the extent of information is concerned.
    22        Quite candidly, it arises in this way:  I had a look at a
              packet of salted crisps last night.  It told me the weight
    23        of it; it told me what it contained, various things like
              carbohydrates and fat, things like that; it made no
    24        reference that I could see to sodium and yet the salt
              content was obviously enormous?
    25        A.  Can I, with all due respect, try and explain the law
              to you on this? 
    26 
         Q.   I do not want a detailed summary, but just an idea of just 
    27        how much?
              A.  The requirement is that the ingredients have to be
    28        placed on a packet but, as far as nutrition labelling is
              concerned, at the moment in this country there is no
    29        requirement that that information has to be on a packet.
              The only requirement which has been introduced quite
    30        recently is that if that information is provided, at
              present it must be in a certain format.