How far can peanut hysteria go?

[Editor's note: The first two articles listed here are factual and correctly quoted. The others are not.]

Sept. 3, 1998

Washington Post

Headline: "Airlines May Have to Bag the Peanuts"

The Transportation Department has informed airlines that under new disability rules, it must provide "peanut-free buffer zones"--defined as at least three rows--for any passenger who declares in advance a medically documented severe allergy to peanuts.

Sept. 23, 1998

New York Times

Headline: "Growing Number of Schools Ban Peanut Butter as Allergy Threat"

Prodded by parents warning of lethal allergies, by the contentions of some researchers that peanut allergies are on the rise and, not least, by a fear of litigation, growing numbers of public and private schools across the country, including many of New York City's most selective independent schools, have banned peanut butter from their cafeterias. Others have declared peanut-free zones or set up committees to figure out what to do.

Oct. 10, 1998