Latest news with #MomsAcrossAmerica
The Guardian
05-04-2025
- Health
- The Guardian
Girl Scout cookies contain heavy metals beyond safe limits, lawsuit alleges
Girl Scout cookies contain lead, arsenic, cadmium, aluminum and mercury at levels that often exceed regulators' recommended limits, as well as concerning amounts of a toxic herbicide, a new class action lawsuit alleges. The suit bases its allegations on a December 2024 study commissioned by the GMO Science and Moms Across America nonprofits that tested 25 cookies gathered from across several states, and found all contained at least four out of five of the heavy metals. Lead was found in all but one cookie, and all samples contained glyphosate, a highly toxic and controversial weed killer that is banned in many countries because it's so dangerous. Girl Scouts took aim at the study in a blog post. 'The health and safety of Girl Scouts and cookie customers is our top priority,' it stated. 'Rest assured: Girl Scout Cookies are safe to consume.' It added: '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.' However, the lawsuit states: '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 seeks $5m in damages and asks a New York state court to order Girl Scouts of America to affix a warning to the cookies. The heavy metals are especially dangerous for young children, and can cause brain damage and developmental issues. Glyphosate exposure in children is linked to liver inflammation and hormone disruption, among other issues. About 200m boxes of the cookies are sold annually. Thin mints showed the highest levels of glyphosate, and the Peanut Butter Patties, S'mores, Caramel deLites and gluten-free Toffee-tastic had the highest levels of toxic metals. Though the report compared its findings to the federal limits on metals in water, the US Food and Drug Administration typically limits the amount of lead in food to two parts per billion (ppb) to 10 ppb. All but three cookies exceed 2 ppb. The non-profit Girl Scouts said heavy metals occur naturally in soil, suggesting that its cookies contained 'trace amounts', which is common in food and not a safety issue. However, the levels found in most of the cookies are higher than what's considered trace amounts. It also stated that glyphosate is found 'nearly everywhere' in the food chain. Glyphosate is often in produce and processed foods, and the levels found in the cookies – with the exception of the Thin Mints – are lower than the EPA's recommended intake for an adult. But it is unclear what the impact on children might be. Organic produce and processed foods broadly contain no or much lower levels of glyphosate and other pesticides. The high levels of metal contamination are also not unique to Girl Scout cookies – cinnamon in Gerber baby food was found to contain lead and sued for violating California's Proposition 65 limits in 2021. Vineet Dubey, an attorney who sued Gerber but is not involved in the Girl Scout lawsuit, said the toxins likely stem from Gerber and Girl Scouts 'buying inexpensive ingredients and from places that are known to have problems with polluted soil, air and water'.
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Study reveals disturbing truth about beloved childhood cookies — here's what you need to know
A recent study discovered heavy metals and glyphosate in Girl Scout cookies, creating controversy about the popular snacks. Two organizations –– GMOScience and Moms Across America –– commissioned the study, but its credibility has been questioned. According to Forbes, the research was not peer-reviewed or published in a scientific journal, and it included a small sample size. Now, questions exist about the reliability of the study and the safety of the cookies. GMOScience and Moms Across America found 100% of the 25 cookies they tested contained heavy metals and glyphosate, an herbicide; 22 of the 25 cookies, nearly 90%, contained all five heavy metals, including aluminum, arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury. The organizations claimed Peanut Butter Patties were the most contaminated cookies. These cookies had the highest amount of heavy metals, while Thin Mints had the most glyphosate. While GMOScience and Moms Across America argue Girl Scout cookies are dangerous, the contaminants in them do not exceed FDA regulations, according to Forbes. Forbes also states there is no recall on Girl Scout cookies, despite rumors of one circulating on social media. Girl Scouts of the USA issued a statement in response to the GMOScience and Moms Across America study, stating its cookies "are safe to consume" and "adhere to food safety standards." The organization complies with FDA and EPA regulations, it said in the statement, and does not add heavy metals or glyphosate to its cookies. Any contaminants in its cookies appear through environmental and agricultural processes, the statement concluded. The contaminants GMOScience and Moms Across America discovered in Girl Scout cookies might not exceed standards, but their presence could still be cause for concern. Like Girl Scouts shared, contaminants can enter food through environmental and agricultural processes, but that does not necessarily mean they are "natural." Heavy metals like arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury can exist in soil, water, and air where food is grown, according to the FDA, and dark chocolate in particular has been a focus for lead and cadmium in recent years as a result of this. Separately, chemicals in a Tennessee wastewater treatment plant's sludge leached into the area's farms, for example, contaminating crops. The FDA also warns industry and pollution increase the presence of contaminants. Contamination has negative consequences for the environment and human health. Heavy metals that result from industry and pollution can cause "minor gastric problems" to "major health fatalities," according to a study published in Frontiers. Another study found pesticides responsible for immune, nervous, and reproductive system harm present in baby food. We can reduce contaminants in food by limiting pollution, primarily through regulations and swapping polluting sources with cleaner ones — such as replacing coal power plants with solar and wind power, as coal has been linked with heavy metals in soil. Regenerative agriculture is an alternative to industrial agriculture that restores soil and ecosystem health. Other agricultural practices eliminate reliance on herbicides and pesticides by implementing natural or innovative forms of pest control. Do you worry about how much food you throw away? Definitely Sometimes Not really Never Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Alternatives to industrial agriculture improve not only the environment but also human health. None of the organic baby food in that study contained the harmful pesticides their conventional counterparts did, and sustainable agriculture addresses the health of the planet and people, according to another study. Join our free newsletter for easy tips to save more and waste less, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
17-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
What is Moms Across America? Group's report on Girl Scout cookies sparks lawsuit
"Making the invisible visible." That's the stated mission of two organizations behind a recent study claiming Girl Scout cookies contain toxic chemicals. In December, nonprofits Moms Across America and GMOScience published a study that found 100% of tested Girl Scout cookies contain "elevated levels" of aluminum, arsenic, cadmium, lead and mercury, and that 13 types of cookies were positive for high levels of glyphosate, a herbicide used to kill weeds. The study, titled, "Danger in the Dough: Unveiling the Toxic Contaminants in Girl Scout Cookies," has received criticism, as it wasn't published by a scientific journal or peer reviewed. Experts say the study was also of a small sample size − only 25 cookies − and compared heavy metals and glyphosate levels to the Environmental Protection Agency's water safety limits, which aren't applicable for food. In a Feb. 6 blog post, Girl Scouts of America denounced the study's claims, reassuring customers that, "Girl Scout Cookies are safe to consume" and meet all regulations set by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and EPA. Can you still eat Girl Scout cookies? Here's what to know about risks to consumers On March 10, a New York woman filed a federal lawsuit against Girl Scouts of America, claiming the organization, in addition to cookie manufacturers Ferrero U.S.A. and Interbake Foods are selling cookies that contain toxins. The woman has since dismissed herself, but New Yorkers Danielle Barbaro and Judy Cholewa have since taken over as plaintiffs. As the lawsuit unfolds, here's what to know about the organizations behind the Girl Scout cookie study. Lawsuit: Girl Scouts hit with suit over alleged heavy metals, toxins in its cookies The study was authored by Michelle Perro, CEO of GMOScience; Zen Honeycutt, founder and executive director of Moms Across America; and Stephanie Seneff, senior research scientist at the MIT Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory. The three women have a history of targeting GMOs, glyphosate and other toxic chemicals in foods: Perro describes herself as a veteran pediatrician with more than 40 years of experience in "acute and integrative medicine." She is the co-author of "What's Making our Children Sick?: How Industrial Food Is Causing an Epidemic of Chronic Illness and What Parents (and Doctors) Can Do About It." In addition to founding Moms Across America, Honeycutt authored a book recounting how her and her family transitioned to an all-organic diet in an effort to avoid GMOs, or genetically-modified organisms. And Seneff, who holds degrees in biophysics, electrical engineering and computer science, has been an MIT senior research scientist since 2010, she told USA TODAY. She also authored a book arguing that glyphosate is responsible for "debilitating chronic diseases, including autism, liver disease and more." Perro and Seneff both serve on Moms Across America's advisory board, according to the organization's website. Jessica Steier, CEO of Vital Statistics Consulting and founder of the podcast "Unbiased Science," has been familiar with Moms Across America for several years, first analyzing a study the organization conducted about glyphosate levels in Banza chickpea pasta in 2024. Vital Statistics Consulting is a data science consultancy that specializes in public health analytics. Steier told USA TODAY that she became familiar with the Girl Scout cookie study after concerned parents began reaching out with questions. "From my analysis, Moms Across America consistently presents data in ways that create maximum alarm by misrepresenting statistics, highlighting preliminary research without proper context and fundamentally misunderstanding a basic toxicology principle: the presence of a substance does not automatically indicate risk," Steier said in an email. "The dose makes the poison, and this nuance is consistently absent from their work." As an example, Steier spoke about the study's glyphosate level claims, which state that the levels in several of the cookies were "334 times higher" than what is harmful to consume. Steier said when analyzed, "the highest glyphosate level they found (111 parts per billion in Thin Mints) would require a child to consume over 9,000 cookies in a single day to approach even the most conservative safety thresholds." In response, Honeycutt told USA TODAY that consumers should be "alarmed." "We hope that rather than attack the messengers, they (Girl Scouts of America) chose to select better ingredients, empower their girls to learn new skills by baking their own organic cookies and be champions for regenerative organic farming." Established in 2013, Moms Across America is a nonprofit dedicated to advocating against GMOs, through the lens of empowering mothers. Genetically-modified organisms are plants, animals or microorganisms that have had their DNA changed, according to the FDA. Common ingredients that contain GMOs include cornstarch, corn syrup, corn oil, soybean oil, canola oil and granulated sugar, according to the FDA. Some fresh produce, like potatoes, apples and pink pineapples are also available in GMO varieties. The FDA says that GMOs are safe to eat, as they are tested by the FDA, EPA and U.S. Department of Agriculture before being put on the market. Honeycutt told USA TODAY that Moms Across America conducts studies and produces data that "shows that our food is contaminated." The group has previously come under fire for claims it made about other publicly-available food items, with some arguing their claims were misleading or lack context. On its website, the organization outlines anti-vaccination rhetoric and alternative medications like a "vaccine detox herbal extract." Honeycutt has been a vocal supporter of U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who was a former adviser to the organization, according to the Moms Across America website. Kennedy's office did not respond for comment when contacted by USA TODAY. GMOScience, founded in 2014, describes itself as "a voice for independent science." The group generates articles, videos and podcasts largely in opposition to GMOs. Honeycutt and Seneff are both advisors of GMOScience, according to the organization's website. The Health Research Institute and New Jersey Laboratories sampled the Girl Scout cookies on behalf of Moms Across America and GMOScience. "Making the invisible visible," welcomes users on the Health Research Institute's website homepage. Based in Iowa, the Health Research Institute is a nonprofit that focuses on glyphosate testing, specifically in foods, founder John Fagan told USA TODAY. The institute, founded in 2015, employs five-full time scientists, he added. The Health Research Institute has worked with Moms Across America before. In 2022, Moms Across America released a study analyzing the amount of toxic chemicals found in school lunches, and the Health Research Institute conducted the research. According to the New Jersey Laboratories website, the lab was founded in 1936, at the time under the name New Jersey Dairy Laboratories. The lab specialized in dairy and food production testing. In the '70s, the lab became New Jersey Laboratories. New Jersey Laboratories tests products in the pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, dietary supplement, cosmetic, dairy and food industries, according to its website. New Jersey Laboratories Chief Commercial Office Rajul Vyas told USA TODAY that the laboratory is unable to discuss the details of the study due to a non-disclosure agreement with Moms Across America, which Honeycutt confirmed. Vyas said the lab signs NDAs with all of its clients. Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Follow her on X and Instagram @gretalcross. Story idea? Email her at gcross@ This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Moms Across America: Group's Girl Scout cookies report sparked lawsuit
Yahoo
14-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Can you still eat Girl Scout cookies? Here's what to know about risks to consumers
Girl Scout cookie season is upon us. But you may have heard some concerning things about the annual treats (Thin Mints, I'm looking at you). First, a non-peer-reviewed study found Girl Scout cookies purchased in three states contained traces of contaminants known as heavy metals and a widely used herbicide. The study got a lot of attention after popular podcast host Joe Rogan talked about it two weeks ago, calling the cookies "toxic." Then, earlier this week came a lawsuit, filed in federal court in New York against the Girl Scouts, citing the study's findings and seeking at least $5 million in damages for U.S. cookie buyers, and a requirement the cookie packaging be updated to disclose the presence of the substances. The lawsuit echoes the findings of the study, conducted by non-profit groups Moms Across America in partnership with GMOScience, alleging that Girl Scout cookies contain dangerous levels of heavy metals and pesticides. "Further, independent testing verifies what GMOScience found – that there is the presence of Toxins in the Products," the lawsuit alleges. The New York woman who initially filed the class action lawsuit has since dismissed herself. The plaintiffs are now New York residents Danielle Barbaro and Judy Cholewa in the suit originally filed March 10 by Amy Mayo against the Girl Scouts of the USA and cookie makers Ferrero USA's Little Brownie Bakers and Interbake Foods, also known as ABC Bakers. Both state in the amended complaint that testing revealed heavy metals as well as the pesticide glyphosate in Girl Scout cookies they purchased. Attorneys for the plaintiffs did not respond to a request for comment from USA TODAY. Moms Across America and GMOScience say they sent 25 cookie samples of 13 different types of Girl Scout cookies from three states (California, Iowa, and Louisiana) for lab testing. The results: all of the cookies contained at least four out of five heavy and toxic metals – including aluminum, arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury. Most of the samples (22 out of 25, or 88%, were found to have levels of all five heavy metals, the study found. Nearly all (96%) tested positive for lead; three-fourths (76%) had levels of cadmium exceeding the Environmental Protection Agency's recommended limits for cadmium in water, they said. All of the cookie samples were also positive for high levels of glyphosate, an herbicide typically used to kill weeds, the groups said. "The sale of cookies containing potentially toxic ingredients raises profound ethical and public health concerns," the groups said. But the Girl Scouts say the cookies meet "all food safety standards and regulations set forth by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the Environmental Protection Agency, and other relevant health authorities," in a response on the organization's website. "These standards ensure that food products are safe for consumption," the statement said. "As a result, Girl Scout Cookies are safe to consume and are manufactured in accordance with all food safety regulations." The Girl Scouts did not respond to a request for additional information from USA TODAY. The FDA has set some recommended lead levels for babies and young children – and is in the midst of developing similar levels for arsenic, cadmium and mercury – but doesn't have suggested levels for the general population, instead saying the agency's goal is to reduce the levels of contaminants such as arsenic, lead, cadmium and mercury in food. For instance, the FDA's "action levels" or recommended limits of lead for babies and young children are 10 parts per billion (ppb) in fruits and baby food, and 20 ppb in dry infant cereals. Several of the Girl Scout cookies had levels of more than 10 ppb and three had more than 20 ppb, according to the group's study. Heavy metals such as arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury are found naturally in the environment, but elevated levels can occur from industrial processes and pollution, the FDA says. The levels found in foods depend on how much a plant or animal "takes up" from the environment, the agency says. Heavy metals can potentially harm brain development in the womb through early childhood, the FDA says. Consumption of aluminum used as a food additive in products such as baking powder and cheese on frozen pizza – and in antacids – is generally considered safe. The average adult in the U.S. eats about 7-9 mg aluminum per day in their food, said the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, which is part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Everyone is exposed to low levels of aluminum from food, air, water, and soil," the ATDSR says. Arsenic is naturally occurring in nature and used in industrial compounds, which can also get into the environment and foods such as fish, rice and other grains. High exposure can lead to impaired cognitive development in children, as well as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer, according to the Environmental Defense Fund and American Cancer Society. Prolonged exposure is associated with health effects such as bone demineralization, kidney and reproductive dysfunction, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. A Consumer Reports study in 2023 found cadmium and lead in many dark chocolate products. Because there is no known safe level of exposure to lead, the FDA monitors and regulates levels of lead in foods. Exposure to lead is most serious during brain development – in utero, infancy and early childhood, and can high levels of exposure can lead to learning disabilities, behavior difficulties, and a lower IQ, the FDA says. For adults, chronic lead exposure is associated with kidney dysfunction, hypertension, and neurocognitive effects. Lead in baby food as been a focus of the FDA and lead found in apple cinnamon treats led to recent recalls. Mercury: The compound, present in fish, for instance, can be harmful to the brain and nervous system if a person is exposed to too much of it over time. The FDA did not respond to a request from USA TODAY about whether it was looking into the issue with Girl Scout cookies. Glyphosate is a widely used herbicide – RoundUp is one commercial brand, for example – that can kill certain weeds and grasses and is used in farming. Trace amounts of glyphosate may be found in fresh fruits, vegetables, cereals, and other food and drinks, according to the FDA and the EPA. The agencies say low levels present no risk to human health. However, some research has suggested increased risk of liver and kidney damage in animals from glyphosate – and an increased risk of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma among farmers and farm workers exposed to the chemical – while other studies have not found a link, The New York Times reported last month. Moms Across America and GMOScience say in their report that glyphosate and its byproducts are "responsible for multiple health issues including cancer, endocrine disruption, gut issues, miscarriages, sperm damage, autism, neurotoxicity, and reproductive damage." Yes, you can, but the Girl Scouts' argument that their cookies are OK to eat "feels like they're dodging the point," consumer protection and environmental attorney Vineet Dubey told USA TODAY. "It's very hard for the Girl Scouts to claim that with any certainty. The fact that this batch was sold containing this many contaminants shows they don't know what's in their cookies, which is worrisome," said Dubey, who is part of the Los Angeles-based law firm Custodio & Dubey LLP. "Young children are especially vulnerable to lead, for instance." The risk is "generally minimal when consumed occasionally, but for products with higher levels, it's advisable to limit intake," he said. If you are concerned about contaminants, Dubey recommends people avoid the varieties with the most such as Caramel deLites, Peanut Butter Patties, S'mores and Toffee-tastics. Note to Thin Mint fans: The study tested three samples and the suit tested one. The substances found at the highest levels were lead (findings ranged from about 6 to 12 ppb) and cadmium (13-16 ppb). The FDA's "action levels" for lead in lead for babies and young children are 10 parts per billion (ppb) in fruits, vegetables and baby food; 20 ppb in dry infant cereals and single-ingredient root vegetables. Food safety attorney Bill Marler recommends moderation. "If you are eating box after box after box, you probably have an issue," he said. "If you're a parent and your kid is six years old, maybe you want to curb how much they're consuming." Fact-checking site deemed: "While it is clear that high exposure to the chemicals found in these tests can potentially cause health issues if consumed in enormous quantities, the levels found within the samples – assuming children aren't eating 9,000 cookies in a day – are within the safety guidelines as outlined by the FDA, EPA, CDC, and public health experts." Lead in baby food: Baby food brands contain 'concerning' levels of heavy metals. Homemade may not be better. The FDA has set some recommended lead levels for babies and young children – and is in the midst of developing similar levels for arsenic, cadmium and mercury – but doesn't have suggested levels for the general population. Instead, the agency says its goal is to reduce the levels of those contaminants in food. So far, the FDA has issued these recommendations: Aluminum: 0.2 milligrams per liter of bottled water. Arsenic: 10 parts per billion for inorganic arsenic in apple juice. Cadmium: 5 ppb for cadmium in bottled water. Lead: The FDA has set "action levels" or recommended limits of lead for babies and young children including 10 parts per billion (ppb) in fruits, vegetables and baby food; 20 ppb in dry infant cereals and single-ingredient root vegetables; and 5 ppb in bottled water (which is more stringent than the 15 ppb of lead in public drinking water set by the EPA, due to potential for lead in pipes). Mercury: 2 ppb in bottled water Glyphosate: The FDA cites the Environmental Protection Agency's established tolerances for glyphosate on food of 0.1 to 400 parts per million (ppm). While the FDA continues its work to classify heavy metal recommendations, the Girl Scouts should be forthcoming and address the issue, Marler says. "It strikes me that it shouldn't be a consumer group that was doing the testing and making it public, he said. "Whoever was manufacturing the cookies for the Girl Scouts should have been doing the testing and being clear to the public as to what the real risks, if any, are." Dubey agrees. The organization "should be concerned about the presence of any contaminants, and test multiple batches, nationwide, as part of their production process going forward," he said. "Consumers trust the Girl Scouts to do the right thing and I hope they do." Contributing: Jonathan Limehouse. Follow Mike Snider on Threads, Bluesky and X: mikegsnider & @ & @mikesnider. What's everyone talking about? Sign up for our trending newsletter to get the latest news of the day This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Can you still eat Girl Scout cookies in 2025? What to know about risks
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Girl Scouts Is Being Sued After Tests Find Cookies Allegedly Contain Heavy Metals and Pesticides
The annual excitement over Girl Scout Cookie season took an unexpected turn this year when a viral report alleged that the beloved treats contain heavy metals and pesticides. The claim was initially met with skepticism, but has now escalated into legal action, leaving consumers questioning the safety of the iconic cookies. The controversy began when two consumer groups, Moms Across America and GMO Science, conducted a study analyzing 25 cookie samples from California, Iowa, and Louisiana. The report, which was published in December, claimed that 100% of the tested samples contained detectable levels of heavy metals, including aluminum, arsenic, lead, and mercury, as well as pesticides including glyphosate. In response, the Girl Scouts of the USA quickly issued a statement on Feb. 6, posting an online response titled "An Important Update for Our Members and Supporters." The statement reassured customers that the cookies are fully safe for consumption. 'A recent report claimed that our Girl Scout Cookies contain certain levels of glyphosate and heavy metals. We want to address these allegations and share the facts,' the organization stated on its website. The Girl Scouts explained that environmental contaminants, including heavy metals, occur naturally in soil, meaning that trace amounts can be found in many plant-based foods. It also noted that glyphosate is commonly present in agricultural environments. Additionally, small amounts of heavy metals can enter processed foods through exposure to air, water, or soil. In summary, this isn't a Girl Scout Cookie-specific issue—it's simply a reality of the global food supply chain. But the issue wasn't been put to rest. Instead, the controversy has now moved into the legal arena. On March 10, a New York woman filed a class-action lawsuit in federal court, citing the Moms Across America and GMO Science study. According to USA Today, the lawsuit alleges that Girl Scout Cookies contain dangerous levels of heavy metals and pesticides, and accuses the Girl Scouts of making false claims about the quality and safety of its products to the public. The plaintiff, Amy Mayo, is seeking $5 million in damages on behalf of consumers nationwide who purchased the cookies. The lawsuit also calls for the Girl Scouts and its bakeries—Ferrero and ABC Baker—to state the presence of these substances on cookie packaging, arguing that Mayo and other consumers would not have bought the cookies had known this information. Now, it's important to note that the commissioned study has not been peer-reviewed or published in a scientific journal, and it relied on a relatively small sample size. Additionally, it references safety limits set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which differ from the food safety standards set by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). However, the lawsuit will likely spark more in-depth research into the cookies across all states. As the case develops, consumers and legal experts alike will be watching closely to see whether these claims hold up in court—or if the Girl Scouts' cookies can maintain their trusted reputation. Read the original article on ALLRECIPES
