03/27/06 Phobias in Lunchbox

Monday, March 27 2006 Phobias over what's in the lunchbox I did feel afraid after reading a recent New York Times article, Invisible Danger? Parents look Inside the Lunchbox. Fear of living in a neurotic society fueled by phobias. The article didn't focus on the inherent dangers of childhood obesity or the internet, but rather, using zip lock baggies to pack lunches. It's true, Kindergarten parents met recently in Seattle for a discussion about the dangers of chemicals leaching into their foods from baggies and water bottles. According to the organic mama's mantra behind this new anti-sandwich bag movement, all good mothers now must wrap their child's sandwich's in wax paper and use imported aluminum containers from Switzerland instead of plastic drink bottles. Thankfully the Times also interviewed a prominent doctor who urged parents to focus instead on significant risks like lead and tobacco smoke. Oh my if these mamas fear peanut butter sandwiches in baggies, imagine how they will handle little Johnny in football pads. I'm Susan Allen and this is Food Forethought.