Background: In March 1996, revelations about the possible risk for humans of the 'mad cow disease' epidemic had a sudden impact on the diets of European populations. Objective: To assess changes in meat and nutrient intakes in adults living in Geneva, Switzerland from 1993 to 2000. Design: Independent annual cross-sectional surveys (4047 women and 4092 men total). Main outcome measure: Dietary habits assessed and compared to baseline (January 1993 -April 1996 via validated semiquantitative food-frequency questionnaire. Results: Women beef abstainers increased from 8.9 to 14.9% in late 1996 (P < 0.001) and 13.3% in 1997 (P < 0.05); among meat consumers, in late 1996 meat=beef intakes declined À 10=À 12% (both P < 0.05). From 1997 to 2000 most intake levels drifted back toward those at baseline, but chicken intakes were significantly (all P < 0.05) greater each year (þ 19% in 2000 (P < 0.001). Consistent but less dramatic changes were observed among men. From late 1996 until 2000, liver abstention was significantly (all P < 0.05) greater (women from 60 to 78%; men from 61 to 73% in 2000; (both P < 0.001). The only nutrient intakes that decreased significantly (all P < 0.05) each year from 1997 through 2000 were retinol and total vitamin A women: À 22% (P < 0.001); À 11% (P < 0.05) respectively; men: À 16% (P < 0.001); À 10% (P < 0.05) respectively, in 2000). Total vitamin A intakes exceeded the dietary reference intake (DRI) for liver eaters (women 185%, men 153%), but were below the DRI for liver abstainers (women 83%; men 66%) in 2000.
Conclusion:The decreases in beef and liver consumption since late 1996 led to the discovery of a long-term disparity in the retinol and total vitamin A intakes of liver eaters vs abstainers.
