Impact of 'Mad Cow Disease' publicity on trends in meat and total vitamin A consumption in Geneva between 1993 and 2000.
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.


METHODS
Independent annual cross-sectional surveys (4047 women and 4092 men total).


METHODS
Dietary habits assessed and compared to baseline (January 1993-April 1996) via validated semi-quantitative 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 -10/-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 (+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: -22% (P<0.001); -11% (P<0.05) respectively; men: -16% (P<0.001); -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.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Sorenson
A W
AW
Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Utah State University, Logan, Utah, USA.
Delhumeau
C
C
Bernstein
M S
MS
Costanza
M C
MC
Morabia
A
A
D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D003257:Consumer Product Safety; D007562:Creutzfeldt-Jakob Syndrome / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004034:Diet Surveys; D005060:Europe; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008460:Meat; D008875:Middle Aged; D011634:Public Health; D012737:Sex Factors; D012756:Sheep; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013552:Swine; D013557:Switzerland; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D014801:Vitamin A