A proposed class-action lawsuit has been filed against the Girl Scouts of the United States of America and its licensed cookie bakers, ABC Bakers and Ferrero USA’s Little Brownie Bakers, alleging the presence of potentially harmful heavy metals and pesticides in their popular cookies.
The lawsuit filed Monday in Brooklyn, NY federal court, cites a December 2024 study commissioned by GMO Science and Moms Across America. The study reportedly found detectable levels of heavy metals, including aluminum, arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury, in 25 cookie samples from three states. Additionally, all samples allegedly contained glyphosate, a widely used pesticide, with Thin Mints exhibiting the highest concentrations.
The suit contends that the Girl Scouts, a 113-year-old non-profit, failed to disclose the presence of these substances, which could pose health risks. Plaintiff Amy Mayo, a Bayside, New York resident, stated she purchased various Girl Scout cookies, including Adventurefuls, Peanut Butter Patties, and Caramel deLites, believing them to be 'quality and safe cookies.' The lawsuit seeks at least $5 million in damages for U.S. cookie purchasers, citing violations of New York consumer protection laws.
In a February 6 blog post, the Girl Scouts addressed the study, stating that trace amounts of heavy metals occur naturally in soil and are not a safety concern, and that glyphosate is prevalent in the food chain. They emphasized their commitment to food safety standards. "The health and safety of Girl Scouts and cookie customers is our top priority," the organization stated.
This legal action follows similar lawsuits against chocolate manufacturers regarding heavy metal contamination. The case, Mayo v Girl Scouts of the United States of America et al, (U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York, No. 25-01367), is now pending. Representatives from the defendants have not yet issued formal comments. Read the full story from Insurance Journal (March 11, 2025):original article