New York Woman Files Lawsuit Against Girl Scouts Over Alleged Toxins in Cookies
A New York woman has filed a class-action lawsuit against the Girl Scouts of America, alleging that the organization's cookies contain harmful levels of heavy metals, pesticides, and other toxins. Amy Mayo filed the lawsuit in federal court on Monday. The lawsuit also names cookie manufacturers Ferrero U.S.A. and Interbake Foods, which operates under the name ABC Bakers, as defendants.
The lawsuit is based on a study commissioned by advocacy groups Moms Across America and GMO Science, which claimed that all tested Girl Scout Cookies contained heavy metals such as aluminum, arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury. The study also reported that 13 cookies showed high levels of glyphosate, a common herbicide. However, the study was not published in a scientific journal, was not peer-reviewed, and relied on a small sample size. Critics, including Forbes, noted that the study compared contamination levels to water safety standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency rather than food safety guidelines established by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Despite concerns over the study’s methodology, its findings gained widespread attention after being shared by podcaster Joe Rogan, leading to viral discussions on TikTok and other social media platforms.
The lawsuit claims that the Girl Scouts misrepresented the safety and quality of their cookies through marketing and packaging, misleading consumers. It further alleges that had buyers been aware of the reported contaminants, they would not have purchased the products. Mayo and other potential plaintiffs seek $5 million in damages for U.S. consumers who purchased the cookies and an injunction requiring updated packaging disclosures.
The case raises questions about food safety regulations and consumer protection while also drawing attention to the broader impact of viral claims on public perception. The Girl Scouts of America and the named manufacturers have not yet publicly responded to the lawsuit.
