A recent class-action lawsuit claims that Girl Scout cookies contain harmful levels of heavy metals and the herbicide glyphosate, raising concerns about potential health risks.
The lawsuit, filed by New York resident Amy Mayo, cites a study conducted by Moms Across America and GMO Science, which found that nearly all tested cookie samples contained multiple heavy metals, including arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury. The study also reported elevated levels of glyphosate, a controversial herbicide linked to various health issues.
However, the study has not been published in a scientific journal, was not peer-reviewed, and used a small sample size. Forbes noted that it compared contamination levels to water safety limits set by the EPA rather than food safety standards from the FDA.
In response, the Girl Scouts stated that their cookies meet all FDA food safety standards and that any detected substances likely result from environmental exposure rather than intentional additives.
“The health and safety of Girl Scouts and cookie customers is our top priority,” the Girl Scouts said in a blog post. “Rest assured: Girl Scout Cookies are safe to consume.”
The lawsuit seeks $5 million in damages and demands that the Girl Scouts disclose potential contaminants on their cookie packaging. Meanwhile, the organization maintains that its products are safe for consumers.
“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 claimed.
In January 2025, researchers affiliated with San Jose State University discovered higher concentrations of the metals nickel, cobalt, and manganese in Elkhorn Slough, a location near a battery storage plant that recently went up in flames.
Dr. Ivano Aiello, a marine geology professor and the department chair at Moss Landing Marine Laboratories, said the “findings and the research that follows are crucial not only to the impacted community but to the national and international community because of the need to store more power and thus build more and larger battery storage facilities.”
“This is a new and fastgrowing technology, and we must understand the ecological impacts in the event that accidents like this happen again,” he stated.
