Suit alleges metals in Girl Scout cookies
Proposed class action case also list pesticides
By: Jonathan Stempel
Reuters
NEW YORK - The Girl Scouts have been sued by consumers over the alleged presence of "heavy metals" and pesticides in it popular Tin Mints and other cookies.
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A proposed class action was filed on Monday [03/10/2025] night in the Brooklyn, New York, federal court against the 113-year-old nonprofit and the cookies' licensed producers, ABC Baker and Ferrero USA's Little Brownie Bakers.
..... It cited a December 2024 study commissioned by GMO Science and Moms Across America, which tested samples of 25 cookies form three U.S. states.
..... The study said Girl Scout cookies contained at least four of five heavy metals - aluminum arsenic, cadmium, lead and mercury - that can harm people's helaht or the environment, often at levels exceeding regulators' recommended limits. It also said all samples contained glyphosate, a pesticide sued in some weed killers, with thin mints containing the highest levels.
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"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," the lawsuit said.
..... The defendants did not immediately respond to request for comment.
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Girl Scouts, short for Girl Scouts of the Unites States of America, addressed the study in a February 6 [2025] blog post.
..... It said heavy metals occur naturally in soil, with trace amounts not a safety issue, while glyphosate is found "nearly everywhere" in the food chain. girl Scouts also said it bakers are committed to complying with all food safety standards.
..... "The health and safety of Girl Scouts and cookies customers is our top priority,' the New York-based nonprofit said. "Rest assured: Girl Scout Cookies are safe to consume."
..... The lawsuit is led by may Mayo, a resident of Bayside, New York.
..... Mayo said she brought numerous Girl Scout produces believing they were "quality and safe cookies."
..... The lawsuit seeks at least $5 million in damages for U.S, cookie purchases, for alleged violation of New York consumer protection laws.