Girl Scouts Sued Over Heavy Metals in Cookies: What We Know

With food safety a major topic of conversation as of late, many have maintained vigilance when browsing the aisles of the grocery store. From deli meats to vegetables to pancake mix, it can be hard to know what’s next in terms of recalls or contaminants. However, the latest food product under scrutiny is none other than Girl Scout cookies, the iconic series of sweet treats sold yearly by local troops across the country. From classics like Samoas and Thin Mints to more recent additions like Adventurefuls, these cookies have been a staple in people’s homes for decades—but a lawsuit filed against the Girl Scouts of America has many alarmed at what truly goes into these decadent delights. Here, everything we know so far.

Why are the Girl Scouts facing a lawsuit over their cookies?

A New York woman, Amy Mayo, has come forward in filing a class action complaint against the Girl Scouts of America, claiming that the company’s cookies contain heavy metals and various other contaminants. As a result of this, the lawsuit is seeking $5 million in damages from Girl Scouts of America and the company’s manufacturers, ABC Bakers and Fererro.

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What’s in Girl Scout cookies? Study claims heavy metals & pesticides

The basis of this lawsuit stems from a study that GMOScience and Moms Across America spearheaded published in December of 2024, however, as pointed out by Forbes, the research has not been peer-reviewed and was not published in a scientific journal. According to the study, “One hundred percent of the 13 types of 25 cookies tested from three states, California, Iowa and Louisiana, were positive for very elevated levels of glyphosate/AMPA, responsible for multiple health issues including cancer, endocrine disruption, gut issues, miscarriages, sperm damage, autism, neurotoxicity and reproductive damage.”

Glyphosate is an herbicide for eliminating weeds, and the lawsuit additionally claims that these cookies are “contaminated with dangerous heavy metals, including aluminum, arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury…and pesticides, including glyphosate.”

Are Girl Scout cookies safe to eat?

While Girl Scouts of America have not come forward with a response to this lawsuit, they did come forward with a statement to their blog when this study was circulating earlier in the year. “Environmental contaminants—which can include heavy metals—can occur naturally in soil. This means that nearly all foods using plant-based ingredients, including organic foods, may contain trace amounts. This does not mean that these foods are harmful to consume,” they stated.

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Additionally, they noted that glyphosate is often used in agricultural practices in accordance with standards put in place by the EPA. That being said, it’s “found nearly everywhere in the food chain. Trace amounts of glyphosate can be found in fresh fruits, vegetables, cereals, baked goods, and other food and beverage commodities.”

Vigilance when it comes to food consumption and safety is never a bad thing, however, based on what we know so far, consuming Girl Scout cookies is still considered safe. To stay up to date on the latest recalls and food safety alerts, visit the FDA website.

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