Tejal Somvanshi
A recent class-action lawsuit has thrust Girl Scout cookies into the spotlight, raising questions about what’s inside those beloved Thin Mints and Caramel deLites. Let’s break down what we know, what the Girl Scouts say, and what it means for cookie lovers everywhere.
The Cookie Controversy: What’s Happening
On February 12, 2024, New York resident Amy Mayo filed a proposed class-action lawsuit in federal court against the Girl Scouts of the USA and their cookie producers, ABC Bakers and Little Brownie Bakers (owned by Ferrero USA). The lawsuit alleges that Girl Scout cookies contain “dangerous heavy metals” and pesticides that weren’t disclosed to consumers.
The legal action cites a December 2023 study by GMO Science and Moms Across America that tested 25 cookie samples from three states (California, Florida, and New York). According to the lawsuit, the study found:
- Heavy metals: Samples contained aluminum, arsenic, cadmium, and lead
- Pesticides: All samples reportedly contained glyphosate (an herbicide used in weed killers), with Thin Mints showing the highest levels
Mayo claims she wouldn’t have purchased cookies like Adventurefuls, Peanut Butter Patties, and Caramel deLites had she known about these substances. The lawsuit seeks at least $5 million in damages for U.S. cookie purchasers.
What the Girl Scouts Say
The Girl Scouts addressed these allegations in a February 6, 2024, blog post, maintaining that their cookies are safe:
“The health and safety of Girl Scouts and cookie customers is our top priority,” the organization stated. “Rest assured: Girl Scout Cookies are safe to consume.”
Their response highlighted several points:
- Heavy metals occur naturally in soil and can be found in trace amounts in many plant-based foods, including organic products
- Glyphosate is “widely used in agriculture” and found “nearly everywhere in the food chain” in accordance with EPA standards
- Their cookies adhere to all food safety standards set by the FDA, EPA, and other relevant authorities
- The levels reported “do not pose a food safety concern to our customers.”
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The Science Behind the Claims
Understanding the context of these substances in our food supply is important:
Heavy Metals
Heavy metals like lead, cadmium, and arsenic can naturally occur in soil. The FDA monitors these levels in foods, with different thresholds for different products:
- Lead: California’s Proposition 65 sets a daily exposure limit for lead, known as the Maximum Allowable Dose Level (MADL), which is set at 0.5 micrograms per day for oral ingestion.
- Cadmium: Prop 65 limits a Maximum Allowable Dose Level (MADL) for cadmium, which is 4.1 micrograms per day for oral exposure.
While the lawsuit’s origins are in New York, Prop 65 just serves as a reference standard.
Glyphosate
Glyphosate is one of the most widely used herbicides in U.S. agriculture. The EPA has established tolerance levels for glyphosate in various foods, ranging from 0.1 to 400 parts per million, depending on the crop.
The lawsuit claims that Thin Mints contained glyphosate at levels 334 times higher than what some experts recommend.
Health Implications: What Experts Say
The health effects of these substances depend on exposure levels and frequency:
- Lead: The CDC and WHO state that no level of lead exposure is considered safe, especially for children. Even low levels can affect brain development and behavior.
- Glyphosate: The EPA has concluded that glyphosate is “not likely to be carcinogenic to humans” at current exposure levels, though some organizations dispute this finding.
Dr. Michael Hansen of Consumer Reports emphasizes hat even low-level lead exposure can harm child development.
Missing Context in the Conversation
Several important factors haven’t received enough attention in the current coverage of this issue:
- Natural presence vs. added ingredients: Heavy metals aren’t added to cookies but can be present in raw ingredients like cocoa, wheat, or oats due to soil absorption.
- Baker differences: ABC Bakers and Little Brownie Bakers use different recipes and sourcing practices, which could affect contamination levels.
- Comparative food safety: Many common foods contain trace levels of these substances. For context, a 2022 Consumer Reports study found similar issues with heavy metals in dark chocolate products.
- Regulatory gaps: The FDA doesn’t have binding limits for heavy metals in cookies specifically, though it does have draft guidance for children’s foods.
What This Means for Cookie Lovers
With approximately 200 million boxes sold annually, Girl Scout cookies remain a beloved tradition that generates essential funding for local troops.
The lawsuit doesn’t claim anyone was sickened by the cookies, and regulatory authorities haven’t issued recalls or warnings. According to current FDA and EPA standards, the cookies might be meeting safety requirements for consumption.
Blake Yagman, Mayo’s attorney, explained their concerns: “Lead is our foremost concern, but the presence of the other four heavy metals and pesticides is deeply concerning, especially because these products are marketed to and sold by children.”
What Next?
As the lawsuit (Mayo v. Girl Scouts of the United States of America et al, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York, No. 25-01367) progresses, it may prompt broader discussions about:
- Food safety standards for products marketed to children
- Transparency in labeling regarding naturally occurring contaminants
- The balance between supporting youth organizations and ensuring product safety
For now, the Girl Scouts continue to stand by their products’ safety while the legal process unfolds.
The case raises important questions about what we expect from the foods we consume and the information we receive about them—especially when they’re sold by an organization built on “ethics and teaching young girls sustainable business practices,” as the lawsuit notes.
