A New York woman has filed a lawsuit against the Girl Scouts of the USA, alleging the organization’s cookies contain harmful levels of heavy metals and pesticides, a claim the Girl Scouts dispute.
Mary Walrath-Holdridge reports for USA TODAY.
In short:
- The lawsuit, filed by Amy Mayo, claims Girl Scout Cookies contain dangerous amounts of heavy metals and glyphosate, citing a study by Moms Across America and GMO Science.
- The study was not peer-reviewed, had a small sample size, and used EPA water safety limits rather than FDA food safety standards.
- The lawsuit seeks $5 million in damages and demands updated packaging that discloses the alleged contaminants.
Key quote:
"Small amounts of heavy metals can be found naturally in the environment, including in food products, due to air, water, and soil exposure. These metals are not added to our Girl Scout Cookies."
— Girl Scouts of the USA statement
Why this matters:
Concerns over contaminants in food products are not new, but they remain a source of debate. In recent years there has been an uptick in viral claims about food toxicity, often fueled by independent studies that lack peer review or scientific rigor. At the same time, research on the long-term effects of chronic exposure to contaminants continues, with some studies linking them to developmental issues, cancer risks, and hormonal disruptions. While regulatory agencies insist current thresholds are safe, environmental and consumer advocacy groups often push for stricter standards, citing potential risks even at low exposure levels.
Learn more: Hold the plum pudding: US food sampling shows troubling pesticide residues
