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The annual excitement over Girl Scout Cookie season took an unexpected turn this year when a viral report alleged that the beloved treats contain heavy metals and pesticides. The claim was initially met with skepticism, but has now escalated into legal action, leaving consumers questioning the safety of the iconic cookies.
John Moore / Staff / Getty Images
Why Are Girl Scout Cookies Under Scrutiny?
The controversy began when two consumer groups, Moms Across America and GMO Science, conducted a study analyzing 25 cookie samples from California, Iowa, and Louisiana. The report, which was published in December, claimed that 100% of the tested samples contained detectable levels of heavy metals, including aluminum, arsenic, lead, and mercury, as well as pesticides including glyphosate.
In response, the Girl Scouts of the USA quickly issued a statement on Feb. 6, posting an online response titled “An Important Update for Our Members and Supporters.” The statement reassured customers that the cookies are fully safe for consumption.
“A recent report claimed that our Girl Scout Cookies contain certain levels of glyphosate and heavy metals. We want to address these allegations and share the facts,” the organization stated on its website.
The Girl Scouts explained that environmental contaminants, including heavy metals, occur naturally in soil, meaning that trace amounts can be found in many plant-based foods. It also noted that glyphosate is commonly present in agricultural environments. Additionally, small amounts of heavy metals can enter processed foods through exposure to air, water, or soil.
In summary, this isn’t a Girl Scout Cookie-specific issue—it’s simply a reality of the global food supply chain. But the issue wasn’t been put to rest. Instead, the controversy has now moved into the legal arena.
Girl Scouts Faces Class-Action Lawsuit Over Cookies
On March 10, a New York woman filed a class-action lawsuit in federal court, citing the Moms Across America and GMO Science study. According to USA Today, the lawsuit alleges that Girl Scout Cookies contain dangerous levels of heavy metals and pesticides, and accuses the Girl Scouts of making false claims about the quality and safety of its products to the public.
The plaintiff, Amy Mayo, is seeking $5 million in damages on behalf of consumers nationwide who purchased the cookies. The lawsuit also calls for the Girl Scouts and its bakeries—Ferrero and ABC Baker—to state the presence of these substances on cookie packaging, arguing that Mayo and other consumers would not have bought the cookies had known this information.
Now, it’s important to note that the commissioned study has not been peer-reviewed or published in a scientific journal, and it relied on a relatively small sample size. Additionally, it references safety limits set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which differ from the food safety standards set by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
However, the lawsuit will likely spark more in-depth research into the cookies across all states. As the case develops, consumers and legal experts alike will be watching closely to see whether these claims hold up in court—or if the Girl Scouts’ cookies can maintain their trusted reputation.
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