A class action lawsuit has been filed against the Girl Scouts, alleging the presence of harmful heavy metals and pesticides in its popular cookies, including Thin Mints.
The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Brooklyn, targets both the 113-year-old nonprofit and its licensed bakers, ABC Bakers and Ferrero USA’s Little Brownie Bakers.
The legal action stems from a December 2024 study commissioned by GMO Science and Moms Across America, which tested 25 cookie samples from three U.S. states.
The study claimed to have found traces of at least four heavy metals — aluminum, arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury — in quantities exceeding regulatory safety limits.
Additionally, the study revealed that all samples contained glyphosate, a pesticide commonly used in weed killers, with Thin Mints showing the highest levels.
The lawsuit argues that despite the Girl Scouts’ commitment to teaching young girls ethical business practices, the organization failed to ensure the safety of the products it sells, which are marketed to children.
The plaintiffs, led by New York resident Amy Mayo, contend that they would not have purchased the cookies or would have paid significantly less had they known about the dangerous substances.
The legal complaint seeks at least $5 million in damages for violations of New York’s consumer protection laws and demands an injunction to enforce accurate labeling on all future products.
Mayo’s lawyer, Blake Yagman, expressed concern that government regulations on privately sold products like Girl Scout cookies are insufficient. He emphasized the risks posed by lead and other toxins, particularly when such products are marketed to children.
In response, the Girl Scouts issued a statement addressing the study, explaining that trace amounts of heavy metals naturally occur in soil and that glyphosate is commonly found in the food chain.
The organization also reiterated its commitment to adhering to food safety standards, assuring the public that Girl Scout Cookies remain safe to consume.
This case, Mayo v. Girl Scouts of the United States of America et al, is currently pending in the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York.
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