Lawsuit claims Girl Scout cookies contain ‘heavy metals,' pesticides
SALT LAKE CITY (KTVX) — A federal lawsuit filed Monday in New York claims Girl Scout cookies 'are contaminated with dangerous heavy metals' and pesticides, an allegation the organization has previously disputed.
The class action lawsuit references tests that allegedly prove Girl Scout cookies contain aluminum, arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury, as well as pesticides such as glyphosate. The suit claims cookies from several states were tested and all had similar results.
'Extensive testing, which took place in the latter half of 2024, found that 100% of the Products contained at least four out of five Heavy Metals,' the lawsuit reads.
Girl Scouts discontinuing 2 cookie varieties after 2025 season
The New Jersey Laboratories Certified and the Health Research Institute conducted tests on the cookies, reportedly finding the results 'extremely problematic.' The suit uses the example of Thin Mints, saying tests showed they had more than 300 times more glyphosate than accepted by health scientists. More than 95% of the Girl Scout products also tested positive for lead.
'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 and failed as well to address the concerns raised in the laboratory testing that took place,' the lawsuit reads.
Nexstar's KTVX reached out to the Girls Scouts of the United States of America and did not hear back at the time of publication. However, the lawsuit includes several previous public comments the organization has made online, including a recent post addressing the cookie controversy.
'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 posted on its blog on Feb. 6.
Girl Scouts USA has addressed the allegations that its cookies contain harmful materials saying, 'Girl Scout Cookies are made with ingredients that adhere to food safety standards set by the FDA and other relevant authorities.'
These Girl Scout cookies are sold under different names: Here's why
It continued to say that contaminants, such as heavy metals, can be found naturally in soil, meaning nearly all foods with plant-based or organic ingredients 'may contain trace amounts.' It made a similar comment on glyphosate, saying it's widely used in agriculture and small amounts can be found in produce, cereals, and baked goods.
'While such occurrences are not unique to Girl Scout Cookies, our trusted baking partners continue to ensure the integrity of our recipes and the safety of all Girl Scout Cookie products in accordance with federal regulations and Global Food Safety initiative standards,' the organization said. 'Our bakers have confirmed that the levels reported do not pose a food safety concern to our customers.'
The lawsuit is included below:
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The plaintiff is demanding a trial by jury, seeking multiple forms of relief, including monetary restitution of at least $5 million and a declaration that the organization's conduct violated consumer protection statutes.
They are also asking the court to bar the organization's 'unlawful and deceptive acts' and disgorge the profits earned from the products.
MJ Jewkes contributed to this story.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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