The intakes of selected food groups in former East and West Germany were compared, based on data from the dietary surveys of the MONICA project Erfurt 1987 and of the MONICA project Augsburg 1984/85. Three-day records from 132 middle-aged men from the city of Erfurt (response 73%) and 3-day records from 424 middle-aged men from the city of Augsburg (response 70%) could be included in the comparison. The differences in the consumption of animal products were rather small. The intake of bread and baked goods, potatoes and cooked vegetables was higher in Erfurt, whereas the intake of raw vegetables was lower. The most striking differences appeared in the consumption of fat.