A proposed class-action lawsuit has been filed against the Girl Scouts, ABC Bakers and Ferrero USA’s Little Brownie Bakers over the alleged presence of heavy metals and pesticides in their cookies, including popular options like Thin Mints.
The big picture: The lawsuit references a December 2024 study commissioned by GMO Science and Moms Across America, revealing that Girl Scout cookies tested contained at least four out of five heavy metals – aluminum, arsenic, cadmium, lead and mercury – often exceeding regulatory limits.
- Glyphosate, a pesticide found in weed killers, was also detected in all cookie samples, with Thin Mints showing the highest levels.
- Despite the allegations, the Girl Scouts maintain that their cookies are safe to consume, stating that heavy metals occur naturally in soil and glyphosate is commonly found in the food chain.
- Girl Scouts emphasized their commitment to complying with all food safety standards and ensuring the health and safety of their customers.
Go deeper: The lawsuit, led by Amy Mayo from Bayside, New York, seeks at least $5 million in damages for U.S. cookie purchasers, citing violations of New York consumer protection laws and requesting accurate labeling on the products.
- This legal action against the Girl Scouts echoes similar lawsuits faced by chocolate makers like Hershey following the discovery of elevated levels of cadmium, lead, or both in their products.
What they’re saying: “The health and safety of Girl Scouts and cookie customers is our top priority,” Girl Scouts said in a statement. “Rest assured: Girl Scout Cookies are safe to consume.”
