Are Girl Scout Cookies Safe to Eat Amidst Heavy Metal Lawsuit?
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Girl Scout cookie season is here — if you drive around your neighborhood, you'll likely spot groups of kids in uniforms, ready to sell boxes of cookies. The Girl Scouts of America organization, founded in 1912, has evolved but remains focused on empowering youth to take risks and build agency. A key part of this mission is its entrepreneurial program, which teaches kids important life skills as they sell treats like Samoas and Thin Mints to eager customers. However, in recent weeks these beloved baked goods have faced controversy with claims of toxic ingredients. And just a few days ago, those concerns escalated to a serious lawsuit.
Here's what we know: On March 10, 2025, Amy Mayo, a woman from New York, filed a federal lawsuit against the Girl Scouts of America organization, along with cookie manufacturers Ferrero U.S.A. and Interbake Foods. She claims they are selling cookies containing heavy metals and herbicides.
The lawsuit draws its fuel from a study funded by Moms Across America and GMO Science, which found that 100 percent of the cookies tested contained traces of aluminum, arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury. Additionally, the findings show that 13 cookie flavors had high levels of the herbicide glyphosate.
It's important to note that this study hasn't been peer-reviewed or published in a scientific journal and relies on a small sample size. So the Kitchn spoke with Wade Syers, a food safety specialist at Michigan State University, to get a clearer understanding of whether there's really cause for concern. More importantly, we wanted to know if people should think twice before buying Girl Scout cookies.
Syers emphasizes that the claim of Girl Scout cookies being contaminated with heavy metals and herbicides is a serious one. 'Exposure to lead could cause lowered IQ, nervous system damage, slowed growth, hearing problems, and other issues,' he says. However, he notes that the likelihood of these symptoms would depend on the specific contaminant, how much is present, and how long someone is exposed.
When asked if he'd buy a box of Thin Mints or Samoas, Syers said, 'At this point, I'm not too concerned.' With years of experience in food safety, he explains, 'There has not been a recall issued, and there are safety mechanisms in place that check for dangerous levels of contaminants. For instance, the FDA has a pesticide residue monitoring program that ensures many foods do not exceed limits.'Last month, when reports surfaced about the possibility of the cookies being tainted with toxic materials, the Girl Scouts of America responded in a press release, saying, 'The health and safety of Girl Scouts and cookie customers is our top priority. Rest assured: Girl Scout Cookies are safe to consume.' The organization also pointed out that its iconic treats are made with ingredients that meet food safety standards set by the FDA and other relevant authorities.
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