Misleading Headlines

When reading the news, many people just scan the headlines. What would you think if you read the following headline?

FDA: Don’t eat peanut butter products

When a headline catches their eye because it's interesting or carries a warning, some people will read the first paragraph of that story. What would you think if you read the following paragraph?

The Food and Drug Administration on Saturday advised consumers to avoid eating any product containing peanut butter or peanut paste until it can determine how many products have been contaminated.

By now, I bet you're convinced to stay away from peanut butter. That jar of Skippy, or Jif, in your cupboard is begging you to break the seal and take the first delicious taste of peanut buttery goodness but now you have doubts. Admit it. You're having second thoughts about peanut butter. Well, if you were one of the few people who take time to read the second paragraph (and maybe more) of the article, you would know there is no reason to fear that jar which seems to be calling your name.

The FDA said it was not including jars of peanut butter sold in grocery stores, only products that were made with peanut butter, such as crackers.

Remember folks, there is more to the story than the headline. It's stories like this that make me want to tie up the reporters and hold them with industrial clamps until they apologize.