Girl Scouts Hit With Lawsuit Over Cookie Content

The Girl Scouts of the United States of America, have been sued by consumers over the alleged presence of heavy metals, pesticides, and other toxins in its cookies. Some are questioning whether the cookies are suitable for human consumption at all. 

“The lawsuit would dissuade me from buying them in large quantities, as it is claimed that consuming them in high amounts can lead to the consumption of toxic chemicals,” said Caitlyn McClanahan, a fourth-year chemistry major and former Girl Scout.

In a non-peer-reviewed study, Girl Scout cookies purchased in three states contained traces of heavy metals and glyphosate, a herbicide used to kill weeds.

The study gained momentum after podcast host Joe Rogan talked about it three weeks ago, calling the cookies “toxic.” It has not been published in any scientific journals. 

“Joe Rogan, as well as many other podcasters, mold their content to portray a specific political lens, which helps them to gain traffic to their platform,” said McClanahan. “It is advised that people look towards more reliable sources to engage in discussions of the study itself,” she said.

Commissioned by GMO Science and Moms Across America, samples of 25 cookies were tested from three U.S. states where the study claimed that Girl Scout cookies contained at least four of five heavy metals such as aluminum, arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury. They say these metals can harm people’s health or the environment, often at levels exceeding regulators’ recommended limits, per Reuters. 

According to USA Today, the study compared heavy metals and glyphosate levels not to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration food safety standards, but rather to water safety limits set by the Environmental Protection Agency, which aren't applicable to food.

“There is a federal responsibility to monitor the quality of products sent out into the market, if the presence of heavy metals that exceed recommended standards are true, this investigation will find just that,” McClanahan.

In a blog post from Feb. 6, Girl Scouts say heavy metals occur naturally in soil, with trace amounts not a safety issue, while glyphosate is found “nearly everywhere” in the food chain. Girl Scouts also said its bakers are committed to complying with all food safety standards, per Reuters. 

“I would suggest that an independent investigation be done, one that does not involve any party who has something to gain from the results of the study,” said Gabrielle Walker, a third-year liberal studies major and former Girl Scout. “This would eliminate some bias and would satisfy both parties,” she said. 

Whether or not students will continue to eat the cookies is up to their personal belief on whether the lawsuit holds any substantial claims against the Girl Scouts and its cookies being sold. 

“The lawsuit would make me more cautious, but I do not think it would fully discourage me from buying Girl Scout cookies,” said Walker.

Per The Girls Scouts of USA