The Lady Scouts has been sued by shoppers over the alleged presence of “heavy metals” and pesticides in its in style Skinny Mints and different cookies.
A proposed class motion was filed on Monday night time in Brooklyn, NY, federal court docket in opposition to the 113-year-old nonprofit and the cookies’ licensed producers, ABC Bakers and Ferrero USA’s Little Brownie Bakers.
It cited a December 2024 examine commissioned by GMO Science and Mothers Throughout America, which examined samples of 25 cookies from three states.
The examine stated Lady Scout cookies contained not less than 4 of 5 heavy metals — aluminum, arsenic, cadmium, lead and mercury — that may hurt individuals’s well being or the atmosphere, typically at ranges exceeding regulators’ really useful limits.
It additionally stated all samples contained glyphosate, a pesticide utilized in some weed killers, with Skinny Mints containing the best ranges.
“While the entire sales practice system for Girl Scout Cookies is built on a foundation of ethics and teaching young girls sustainable business practices, defendants failed to uphold this standard themselves,” the lawsuit stated.
The defendants didn’t instantly reply to requests for remark.
Lady Scouts, quick for Lady Scouts of the US of America, addressed the examine in a Feb. 6 weblog submit.
It stated heavy metals happen naturally in soil, with hint quantities not a security difficulty, whereas glyphosate is discovered “nearly everywhere” within the meals chain. Lady Scouts additionally stated its bakers are dedicated to complying with all meals security requirements.
“The health and safety of Girl Scouts and cookie customers is our top priority,” the New York-based nonprofit stated. ”Relaxation assured: Lady Scout Cookies are protected to devour.”
Cookies are offered by registered Lady Scouts from January to April, with web proceeds supporting councils and native troops.
The lawsuit is led by Amy Mayo, a resident of Bayside, NY.
Mayo stated she purchased quite a few Lady Scout merchandise corresponding to Adventurefuls, Peanut Butter Patties and Caramel deLites, believing they had been “quality and safe cookies.”
She stated she wouldn’t have purchased the cookies or “would have paid substantially less” had Lady Scouts disclosed the presence of “dangerous toxins.”
The lawsuit seeks not less than $5 million in damages for US cookie purchasers, for alleged violations of New York client safety legal guidelines, and an injunction requiring correct labeling.
Blake Yagman, a lawyer for Mayo, in an interview stated the federal government doesn’t adequately regulate many privately offered merchandise corresponding to Lady Scout cookies.
“Lead is our foremost concern, but the presence of the other four heavy metals and pesticides is deeply concerning, especially because these products are marketed to and sold by children,” he stated.
A number of chocolate makers together with Hershey confronted lawsuits after Shopper Reviews in December 2022 discovered elevated ranges of cadmium, lead or each of their merchandise.
The case is Mayo v Lady Scouts of the US of America et al., US District Court docket, Japanese District of New York, No. 25-01367.
