Girl Scouts Sued Over Heavy Metals in Popular Cookies

NEW YORK, March 11 (AP) — The Girl Scouts of the United States of America is facing a proposed class action lawsuit from consumers who allege the presence of heavy metals and pesticides in its popular cookie varieties, including Thin Mints. Filed in federal court in Brooklyn on Monday evening, the lawsuit targets the 113-year-old nonprofit and its licensed producers, ABC Bakers and Ferrero USA‘s Little Brownie Bakers.

The lawsuit stems from a study commissioned by GMO Science and Moms Across America, which tested samples from 25 cookie varieties across three U.S. states. The results indicated that at least four out of five heavy metals—aluminum, arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury—were found in the cookies, often exceeding the limits recommended by health regulators. Additionally, all samples reportedly contained glyphosate, a pesticide commonly used in weed killers, with Thin Mints showing the highest levels.

In the filing, the lawsuit claims, “While the entire sales practice system for Girl Scout Cookies is built on a foundation of ethics and teaching young girls sustainable business practices, defendants failed to uphold this standard themselves.” As of yet, the defendants have not responded to requests for comment.

The Girl Scouts addressed the study in a statement on February 6, asserting that trace amounts of heavy metals naturally occur in soil and are generally not a safety issue. The organization also noted that glyphosate is prevalent throughout the food chain and their bakers comply with all food safety standards. “The health and safety of Girl Scouts and cookie customers is our top priority,” the statement read. “Rest assured: Girl Scout Cookies are safe to consume.”

Girl Scout Cookies are sold by registered Girl Scouts annually from January to April, with proceeds benefiting local councils and troops. Approximately 200 million boxes are sold each year, according to a 2023 NPR report.

The lawsuit’s lead plaintiff, Amy Mayo, a Bayside, New York resident, stated that she purchased various Girl Scout products believing they were “quality and safe cookies.” She expressed that she would not have bought the cookies or “would have paid substantially less” had the organization disclosed the presence of “dangerous toxins.” The suit seeks $5 million in damages for U.S. cookie purchasers under New York consumer protection laws, as well as an injunction for accurate labeling.

Blake Yagman, the attorney representing Mayo, emphasized concerns regarding the regulation of products like Girl Scout Cookies. “Lead is our foremost concern, but the presence of the other four heavy metals and pesticides is deeply concerning, especially because these products are marketed and sold by children,” Yagman stated in an interview.

This lawsuit comes on the heels of previous scrutiny faced by chocolate manufacturers, including Hershey, after Consumer Reports revealed elevated levels of cadmium and lead in some products in December 2022. The case is titled Mayo v. Girl Scouts of the United States of America et al, case number 25-01367 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York.