I mostly agree that it's an overreaction. However, "irrational" is a really bad choice of word. Every non-technical person understands that sometimes AI says wrong things - like, random, crazy wrong things, not just a little off. It's just a general rule kept in the back of the mind. Food is easily in that realm of "be careful". Did the AI produce a recipe that would be harmful to you and the cook didn't notice? Almost certainly not. So, sure, they were being over-cautious. But "irrational"? No, no, no. It's definitely rational.

Look at what you're writing.

"Doing X is so clearly irrational that I chuckled a bit."

Please don't perpetuate the image of the elitist techie. That is what was just firebombed.

there is almost nothing seriously dangerous about food, particularly everyday food.There are a handful of niche things that are seriously dangerous, like cooking Fugu or Poison mushrooms with special preperation.

I think this says more about how neurotic and paranoid people are.