Lawsuit claims Girl Scout cookies contain ‘heavy metals,' pesticides
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:
1 2Download
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.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Los Angeles Times
19-06-2025
- Los Angeles Times
Letters to the Editor: What would actually help with the youth mental health crisis?
To the editor: Guest contributors Naomi Schaefer Riley and Sally Satel present a case of wanting better parenting by pulling out an unconnected list of problems, behaviors and observations concerning teens and their parents ('What kids need — and adults need to know — to combat the youth mental health crisis,' June 17). Lack of religion, lack of strong relationships, easy access to cannabis (without reference to access to other drugs like alcohol, depressants, medications, etc.) and the increasing number of single-family households. In short, they lay out the ever-present case that there are many teens who are floundering and present their own pet ideas without much justification as to how to solve this problem. Of course, young people regularly attending any type of wholesome event weekly will be more likely to feel better about themselves, whether it is a religious service, Boy Scout/Girl Scout meetings or other youth groups or school clubs. Of course, parents paying more attention to their teens by spending time doing positive things with them will help. It is unfortunate that with all the positive things that could be suggested, these authors use an ever-present problem to steer everyone toward what seem to be their personal favorite solutions rather than attempting to suggest that parents find things that might work for their and their child's personal situations. Michael Lampel, Granada Hills
The Hill
07-06-2025
- The Hill
Drinking sugar may be worse than eating it, study finds
PROVO, Utah (KTVX) — Drinking your sugar may be worse for you than previously thought. That is, according to a recent study conducted by Brigham Young University (BYU) researchers in collaboration with several researchers from Germany-based institutions. The study, which analyzed data from over half a million people across multiple continents, found that sugar consumed through drinks, such as soda and juice, was consistently linked to a higher risk of Type 2 diabetes. Sugar from other sources reportedly showed no such link or were, in some cases, associated with a lower risk of diabetes. Karen Della Corte, the lead author on the study and a BYU nutritional science professor, said this was the first study to draw clear 'dose-response' relationships between different sugar sources and Type 2 diabetes risks. 'It highlights why drinking your sugar, whether from soda or juice, is more problematic for health than eating it,' said Della Corte. The study suggests the more problematic nature of sugary drinks may come down to differing metabolic effects. Researchers said sugar-sweetened drinks contain isolated sugars that lead to a higher glycemic impact that overwhelm and disrupt metabolism in the liver. This, in turn, increases liver fat and insulin resistance, the study says. Meanwhile, the sugars that can be found in fruits, dairy products, or whole grains do not overload the liver. The beneficial nutrients, such as fiber, fats, and proteins, help slow the blood glucose responses that dietary sugars bring. 'This study underscores the need for even more stringent recommendations for liquid sugars such as those in sugar-sweetened beverages and fruit juice, as they appear to harmfully associate with metabolic health,' Della Corte said. 'Rather than condemning all added sugars, future dietary guidelines might consider the differential effects of sugar based on its source and form.' The study has been published in the Advances in Nutrition journal.
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- Yahoo
Cat who survived nearly 400-foot fall adopted by rescue pilot who saved her
A cat who survived a nearly 400-foot fall will live the rest of her nine lives with the woman who came to her rescue. As rescue crews searched a ravine at Bryce Canyon National Park for a couple that had fallen over a railing on April 29 they found something they didn't expect: a soft-sided pet carrier covered in dirt. At first, they thought it was just a backpack. But inside was the couple's 12-year-old tabby cat, who survived the 380-foot fall, according to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, the animal rescue organization that took her in. The couple, Matthew Nannen, 45, and Bailee Crane, 58, allegedly climbed over a railing at Inspiration Point, which is situated along a high plateau at the top of the park's Grand Staircase, according to the Garfield County Sheriff's Office. The couple fell and were killed. MORE: 10-year-old rescue cat becomes a model for Target The cat was bruised, shaken and suffered fractured ribs, according to the rescue organization. After veterinarians became concerned, she was sent to a specialty veterinary hospital in Las Vegas, where she received treatment for fluid in her heart, Salt Lake City ABC affiliate KTVX reported. Staff at the rescue organization named her Mirage because it was a miracle she was alive after falling from such a height. Mirage made a full recovery after receiving emergency care from the veterinary team, Judah Battista, chief sanctuary officer of the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, told ABC News. MORE: Viral cat dubbed 'largest cat anyone has ever seen' gets adopted Utah Department of Public Safety pilot Chelsea Tugaw was among the search and rescue team that day and "never forgot" Mirage, the animal sanctuary said. "We couldn't believe the cat was alive. I thought she was injured and was uncertain of her future," Tugaw said in a statement. "It gave me a lot of comfort when I found out she was going to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary to get the help she needed." Tugaw came to the rescue again and adopted Mirage -- with a blessing from the family of Mirage's late owners, according to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary. "I'm so ecstatic to be taking Mirage home," Tugaw said. "I hope I can give her the perfect retirement life and let her be a nice lazy cat in her old age." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Best Friends Animal Society (@bestfriendsanimalsociety) Mirage has been given a "second chance," Battista said. "This reunion offers a glimmer of hope and light to a tragic beginning, and we're thrilled that Mirage will live out her golden years in such a loving home with Chelsea," Battista said. "We couldn't ask for a better ending for this sweet girl." Battista reminded animal lovers that there are still "countless cats" like Mirage still in need of loving homes. "You can be a hero for them," Battista said. Cat who survived nearly 400-foot fall adopted by rescue pilot who saved her originally appeared on
