The Woman Scouts have been sued by customers over the alleged presence of “heavy metals” and pesticides in its fashionable Skinny Mints and different cookies.
A proposed class motion was filed on Monday night time within the Brooklyn, New York federal courtroom 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 study commissioned by GMO Science and Mothers Throughout America, which examined samples of 25 cookies from three U.S. states.
The research mentioned Woman Scout cookies contained at the very least 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’ advisable limits.
It additionally mentioned all samples contained glyphosate, a pesticide utilized in some weed killers, with Skinny Mints containing the very best ranges.
“Whereas the whole gross sales apply system for Woman Scout Cookies is constructed on a basis of ethics and instructing younger ladies sustainable enterprise practices, defendants did not uphold this commonplace themselves,” the lawsuit mentioned.
The defendants didn’t instantly reply to requests for remark.
Woman Scouts, brief for Woman Scouts of america of America, addressed the research in a February 6 blog post.
It mentioned heavy metals happen naturally in soil, with hint quantities not a security challenge, whereas glyphosate is discovered “practically in every single place” within the meals chain. Woman Scouts additionally mentioned its bakers are dedicated to complying with all meals security requirements.
“The well being and security of Woman Scouts and cookie prospects is our high precedence,” the New York-based nonprofit mentioned. “Relaxation assured: Woman Scout Cookies are secure to eat.”
Cookies are offered by registered Woman Scouts from January to April, with web proceeds supporting councils and native troops.
The lawsuit is led by Amy Mayo, a resident of Bayside, New York.
Mayo mentioned she purchased quite a few Woman Scout merchandise corresponding to Adventurefuls, Peanut Butter Patties and Caramel deLites, believing they have been “high quality and secure cookies.”
She mentioned she wouldn’t have purchased the cookies or “would have paid considerably much less” had Woman Scouts disclosed the presence of “harmful toxins.”
The lawsuit seeks at the very least $5 million in damages for U.S. cookie purchasers, for alleged violations of New York client safety legal guidelines.
A number of chocolate makers together with Hershey HSY.N confronted lawsuits after Client Experiences in December 2022 discovered elevated ranges of cadmium, lead or each of their merchandise.
The case is Mayo v Woman Scouts of america of America et al, U.S. District Courtroom, Jap District of New York, No. 25-01367.
(Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New YorkEditing by Marguerita Choy)
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