Girls Scouts of the USA



Girl Scout cookies on display.

**Can you still eat Girl Scout cookies in 2025? What to know about risks to consumers**

A lawsuit cites a report from two non-profits – a science group and holistic parenting group – that found traces of lead and a herbicide in Girl Scout cookies. Does that mean we can't eat Thin Mints?

A lawsuit echoes the findings from a study cited in a podcast host's report. The Girl Scouts say their cookies are safe, but the study insists the cookies contain toxic levels of heavy metals and pesticides. The New York woman who initially filed the class action lawsuit has now dismissed herself, seeking damages for U.S. cookie buyers and a requirement for updated cookie packaging.

The lawsuit echoes the study's findings, citing a report from the non-peer-reviewed Moms Across America and GMOScience, alleging that Girl Scout cookies contain heavy metals such as lead, arsenic, cadmium, and mercury. However, the FDA has set some recommended lead levels for babies and young children – 10 parts per billion (ppb) in fruits, vegetables, and baby food; 20 ppb in dry infant cereals and single-ingredient root vegetables; and 5 ppb in bottled water. The Girl Scouts should be forthcoming and address the issue, Dubey says. "Whoever was manufacturing the cookies for the Girl Scouts should have been doing the testing and being clear to the public about what the real risks are."

Marler agrees. The organization should be concerned about the presence of any contaminants and test multiple batches, nationwide, going forward. Consumers trust the Girl Scouts to do the right thing, he says.

Contributing: Jonathan Limehouse.

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**What are the recommended levels for lead and heavy metals in food?**

The FDA has set some recommended lead levels for babies and young children – 10 parts per billion (ppb) in fruits, vegetables, and baby food; 20 ppb in dry infant cereals and single-ingredient root vegetables; and 5 ppb in bottled water. The Girl Scouts should be forthcoming and address the issue.

Marler and Dubey agree. The organization should be concerned about the presence of any contaminants and test multiple batches, nationwide, going forward. Consumers trust the Girl Scouts to do the right thing, he says.

Marler agrees. The organization should be concerned about the presence of any contaminants and test multiple batches, nationwide, going forward. Consumers trust the Girl Scouts to do the right thing, he says.

**What did the study of Girl Scout cookies and heavy metals find?**

A non-peer-reviewed study found Girl Scout cookies in 3 out of 4 samples tested positive for lead levels ranging from about 6 to 12 ppb, as well as glyphosate levels ranging from 13 to 16 ppb. The FDA has set some recommended lead levels for babies and young children – 10 parts per billion (ppb) in fruits, vegetables, and baby food; 20 ppb in dry infant cereals and single-ingredient root vegetables; and 5 ppb in bottled water. The Girl Scouts should be forthcoming and address the issue, Marler says.

Marler agrees. The organization should be concerned about the presence of any contaminants and test multiple batches, nationwide, going forward. Consumers trust the Girl Scouts to do the right thing, he says.

Marler and Dubey agree. The organization should be concerned about the presence of any contaminants and test multiple batches, nationwide, going forward. Consumers trust the Girl Scouts to do the right thing, he says.

**Where are the heavy metals found in foods?**

Heavy metals such as arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury are found naturally in the environment, but elevated levels can occur from industrial processes and pollution. The levels found in foods depend on how much a plant or animal "takes up" from the environment, the agency says.

Heavy metals can potentially harm brain development in the womb through early childhood. However, exposure to high levels of lead is most serious during brain development, as well as during the early stages of life.

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**What is glyphosate and why is it concerning?**

Glyphosate is a widely used herbicide – RoundUp is one commercial brand, for instance – that can kill certain weeds and grasses and is used in farming.

Trace amounts of glyphosate may be found in fresh fruits, vegetables, cereals, and other foods and drinks. The agencies set tolerances for glyphosate on food of 0.1 to 400 parts per million (ppm).

While the FDA continues its work to classify heavy metal recommendations, the Girl Scouts should be forthcoming and address the issue, Marler says. "Whoever was manufacturing the cookies for the Girl Scouts should have been doing the testing and being clear to the public about what the real risks are."

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Girl Scout cookies on display.

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**Alright, but can I eat Girl Scout cookies?**

Yes, you can, but the Girl Scouts' argument that their cookies are OK to eat "feels like they’re dodging the point," consumer protection and environmental attorney Vineet Dubey told USA TODAY.

"It’s very hard for the Girl Scouts to claim that their cookies are safe to eat ‘feels like they’re dodging the point,’" Dubey said. "Young children are especially vulnerable to lead, for instance."

The risk is "generally minimal when consumed occasionally, but for products with higher levels, it’s advisable to limit intake," he said.

If you are concerned about contaminants, Dubey recommends moderation. "If you are eating box after box after box, you probably have an issue," he said. "If you're a parent and your kid is six years old, maybe you want to curb how much they're consuming."

Fact-checking site  deemed: "While it is clear that high exposure to the chemicals found in these tests can potentially cause health issues if consumed in enormous quantities, the levels found within the samples – assuming children aren't eating 9,000 cookies in a day – are within the safety guidelines as outlined by the FDA, EPA, CDC, and public health experts."

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**What is the difference between a toxic and a "healthy" substance?**
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