Allegations of Contamination

The class action lawsuit, initiated on Monday, points to laboratory tests that purportedly indicate the presence of harmful substances in Girl Scout Cookies. Tests conducted in the latter half of 2024 claimed to have found heavy metals including aluminum, arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury, in addition to pesticides like glyphosate.

According to the lawsuit, cookies from various states exhibited similar contamination levels. Notably, the suit alleges that over 95% of products tested positive for lead, with samples of Thin Mints reportedly containing glyphosate levels exceeding the health safety limits established by experts.

Details of the Testing Process

Testing was carried out by Certified New Jersey Laboratories and the Health Research Institute, which described the results as “extremely problematic.” The findings suggest that all tested products contained a significant proportion of heavy metals, with the lawsuit emphasizing that every product analyzed showed indications of at least four out of five tested metals.

Response from Girl Scouts of the USA

In response to these allegations, the Girl Scouts of the USA have publicly defended the safety of their cookies. In a blog post dated February 6, the organization stated, “The health and safety of Girl Scouts and cookie customers is our top priority. Rest assured: Girl Scout Cookies are safe to consume.” They also asserted that their cookies comply with food safety standards set by the FDA and other authorities.

They acknowledged that contaminants like heavy metals can be naturally present in soil, which can result in trace amounts in many food products, not just their cookies. The organization further noted that, according to their bakers, the contaminant levels stated in the lawsuit do not present a food safety concern.

Legal Actions and Consumer Protection

The lawsuit demands a jury trial and seeks multiple forms of relief, including a monetary compensation of at least $5 million. Moreover, plaintiffs are requesting that the court prohibits the organization from engaging in “unlawful and deceptive acts,” along with an order to return profits generated from the implicated products.

As the case unfolds, concerns surrounding food safety and consumer rights continue to be a focal point of this ongoing legal battle.