by 
Class-action lawsuit claims Girl Scout Cookies contain unsafe levels of heavy metals and pesticides, raising consumer safety concerns. But now, a key plaintiff has dropped her claims.
Class-Action Lawsuit Alleges Toxic Contaminants in Girl Scout Cookies
A class-action lawsuit filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York alleges that Girl Scouts of the United States of America (GSUSA), Ferrero U.S.A., Inc., and Interbake Foods, LLC (ABC Bakers) knowingly distributed cookies contaminated with heavy metals and pesticides. The suit, brought by Amy Mayo on behalf of herself and other consumers, claims that independent testing found dangerous levels of toxic substances in popular Girl Scout Cookie varieties.
The lawsuit seeks damages for false advertising, deceptive trade practices, and unjust enrichment, arguing that the defendants misled the public about the safety and quality of their cookies.
Testing Allegedly Found Heavy Metals and Glyphosate in Cookies
The key claim in the lawsuit is that testing conducted in late 2024 detected high levels of aluminum, arsenic, cadmium, lead, mercury, and glyphosate (a common pesticide) in Girl Scout Cookies.
According to the complaint:
- 100% of the tested cookies contained at least four heavy metals
- 96% tested positive for lead, a substance known to be harmful at any level of exposure
- Thin Mints allegedly contained 334 times the commonly accepted amount of glyphosate
The lawsuit cites research indicating that prolonged exposure to these substances may pose serious health risks, particularly for children—the primary consumers of Girl Scout Cookies.
Plaintiff Claims Misleading Marketing and Failure to Act
The lawsuit argues that Girl Scouts, Ferrero, and ABC Bakers marketed their cookies as safe, high-quality products while failing to disclose the alleged presence of contaminants.
Statements from the defendants that appear in official marketing materials and websites include:
- “We trust our licensed bakers, who are industry leaders, to produce the best-tasting and highest-quality cookies.” – Girl Scouts
- “Our bakery has written standards for each process and cookie variety, and we select the finest possible ingredients.” – ABC Bakers
- “The First in Top-Quality Ingredients.” – Ferrero
However, the plaintiff argues that these statements were false and misleading, as the companies allegedly failed to conduct adequate safety testing or recall contaminated products despite reports of toxic substances in the cookies.
Girl Scouts Deny Allegations, Maintain Cookies Are Safe
Following media reports about the alleged contaminants, GSUSA released a statement on February 6, 2025, assuring the public that “Girl Scout Cookies are safe to consume” and that the ingredients used comply with FDA and EPA food safety standards.
“Environmental contaminants—which can include heavy metals—can occur naturally in soil. This means that nearly all foods using plant-based ingredients may contain trace amounts. This does not mean that these foods are harmful to consume.” – Girl Scouts Statement
The lawsuit, however, challenges this response, claiming that the defendants failed to conduct proper monitoring, acknowledge independent test results, or take corrective action to ensure the safety of their products.
Plaintiff Amy Mayo Voluntarily Dismisses Her Claims
In a surprising turn of events, Amy Mayo voluntarily dismissed her claims against the defendants on March 11, 2025, just days after filing the lawsuit. According to a court filing in the Eastern District of New York, Mayo dismissed her individual claims without prejudice, meaning she retains the right to refile in the future.
However, the class-action lawsuit remains active, as plaintiffs Barbaro and Cholewa continue to pursue legal action.
“The voluntary dismissal of one plaintiff does not impact the broader case,” said a legal analyst following the lawsuit. “It is not uncommon for named plaintiffs to withdraw, but the case’s strength will depend on the evidence and the remaining claimants.”
What the Lawsuit Seeks
The class-action lawsuit demands:
- Statutory and actual damages for deceptive marketing
- Restitution for consumers who purchased Girl Scout Cookies under false pretenses
- A court order requiring GSUSA, Ferrero, and ABC Bakers to improve food safety testing and transparency
If certified as a class action, the lawsuit could impact millions of consumers nationwide.
What’s Next for Consumers?
While the lawsuit progresses, no recall has been issued, and Girl Scout Cookies remain on the market. Consumers concerned about the allegations can visit and sign up for food recall information. The Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development (MDARD) offers a Consumer Information Email Food Recall Alert Service.
Sign Up to Receive Food Recall Alerts
Find More Interesting Feature Stories From ThumbWind
- Michigan Feature Stories – Unveiling the diverse and vibrant people, captivating places, and remarkable events that make the Great Lake State unique.
- Weird Political News – A sarcastic take on official news from around the U.S., highlighting absurdities in the political landscape.
- Michigan News – Local stories, impactful interviews, and updates on community happenings in Michigan’s Upper Thumb region.
Your Turn – Like This, or Loath it – We Want To Hear From You
Please offer an insightful and thoughtful comment. We review each response. Follow us to have other feature stories fill up your email box, or check us out on ThumbWind Publications.
