This article is about the study showing high levels of glyphosate and heavy metals in Girl Scout cookies. At the end, there is a letter template that parents can use to write to Girls Scouts, USA.
Introduction
A recent investigation conducted by GMOScience.org worked with Moms Across America. They have revealed concerning levels of glyphosate and toxic metals in all tested Girl Scout cookie samples.
The study was led by Stephanie Seneff, PhD, a senior research scientist at MIT. It analyzed 25 cookie samples from three states. These states were California, Iowa, and Louisiana.
The results raise serious concerns about food safety, particularly in a product marketed to children and families.
Key Findings: Glyphosate in Every Girl Scout Cookie
The study found that 100% of the tested cookie samples contained glyphosate. It is a widely used herbicide often applied as a crop-drying agent.
The highest contamination levels were detected in Thin Mints, with 111.07 parts per billion (ppb) of glyphosate, followed by Peanut Butter Patties, which contained 13.57 ppb.
To put this into perspective:
- These levels are 334 times higher than the threshold set by Dr. Don Huber, Professor Emeritus at Purdue University, for what is considered harmful.
- Glyphosate has been classified as a probable human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).
- Long-term exposure to glyphosate has been linked to hormonal disruption, gut microbiome imbalances, and potential cancer risks.
I recently wrote about glyphosate at
The Truth About Glyphosate: Health Risks You Shouldn’t Ignore
Heavy Metal Contamination in the Cookies
Other than glyphosate, the study uncovered widespread contamination with toxic heavy metals:
- 88% of samples (22 out of 25) contained all five toxic metals tested: aluminum, arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury.
- 76% of the samples exceeded EPA water safety limits for cadmium (5 ppb).
- 96% contained detectable levels of lead, a neurotoxin linked to cognitive impairment and developmental delays in children.
- Peanut Butter Patties showed the highest heavy metal contamination, with:
- Lead levels reaching 42.5 ppb.
- Aluminum concentrations at 27,500 ppb (27.5 ppm).
Sweating can remove heavy metals from the body.
The 6 Surprising Benefits of Sweating You Need to Know
What This Means for Public Health
The presence of glyphosate and heavy metals in popular food products raises concerns about long-term exposure risks. These contaminants have been linked to:
- Cancer risk (linked to glyphosate and arsenic exposure).
- Neurological disorders (from lead and mercury contamination).
- Kidney and liver damage (caused by cadmium accumulation).
- Hormonal and metabolic disruption (glyphosate and endocrine-disrupting metals).
“The health implications of toxic substances in [Girl Scout] cookies extend beyond the immediate impact on our girls. They also affect the public at large,” the researchers wrote. “Identifying and eliminating the sources of these toxic metals is imperative to safeguarding public health.”
Who is Responsible?
The study tested cookies from both of the major Girl Scout cookie manufacturers:
- ABC Bakers
- Little Brownie Bakers
Despite being contacted before the study’s release, Girl Scouts USA did not respond to meeting requests.
This is worrisome. The organization sells around 200 million boxes of cookies annually. This generates nearly $800 million in revenue.
A Call for Safer Ingredients and Farming Practices
The study’s authors propose a shift toward organic and regenerative farming practices to reduce toxic contaminants in food. They highlight that Girl Scouts USA can influence agricultural trends by leveraging its purchasing power:
- The organization’s use of wheat flour alone generates $16 million in annual spending, which can support cleaner, non-toxic farming methods.
What Parents of Girl Scouts Can Say to Girl Scouts USA
As parents of Girl Scouts, you have every right to demand safer products and advocate for healthier alternatives. If your child is expected to sell these cookies again, consider taking the next approaches:
1. Demand Transparency and Change
Suggested Message to Girl Scouts USA:
“As parents, we are deeply concerned about the findings of glyphosate and heavy metal contamination in Girl Scout cookies. Selling these products to families and friends is no longer just about fundraising—it’s about food safety and public health. We urge Girl Scouts USA to take immediate action. They should source cleaner ingredients. They must guarantee rigorous third-party testing. Additionally, they need to transition to organic and regenerative farming practices. We want full transparency on what is being done to protect our children’s health.”
2. Ask for a Response from Leadership
Questions for Girl Scouts USA Leadership:
- What steps are being taken to address these contamination issues?
- Will Girl Scouts USA demand better ingredient sourcing from their cookie manufacturers?
- Can we get third-party, publicly available test results for future cookie batches?
- Will the organization consider transitioning to organic and non-GMO ingredients?
3. Consider Refusing to Sell Until Changes Are Made
If Girl Scouts USA does not acknowledge the concerns, parents and troop leaders could choose not to sell cookies. They may continue this until action is taken. Instead, suggest other fundraising efforts like:
- Hosting community service events for donations.
- Selling healthier local or homemade goods.
- Organizing sponsorship drives for Girl Scout activities.
By taking a stand, parents can advocate for meaningful change. They ensure that Girl Scouts uphold their values of leadership, responsibility, and making the world a better place.
Here is a Letter Template that Parents can send to the Girl Scouts USA
Conclusion: A Wake-Up Call for Consumers
The findings of this study emphasize the need for greater transparency, accountability, and safer ingredient sourcing in the food industry. This is especially crucial for products targeted at children.
Parents and consumers must advocate for stricter food safety regulations and support brands committed to non-toxic, organic ingredients.
This research, supported by GMOScience, Moms Across America, and The Westreich Foundation, is a reminder that what we eat matters.
Demanding change is crucial for public health.
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Reference:
- https://conexiant.com/endocrinology/articles/toxic-metals-glyphosate-found-in-girl-scout-cookies
- Jaishankar M, Tseten T, Anbalagan N, Mathew BB, Beeregowda KN. Toxicity, mechanism and health effects of some heavy metals. Interdiscip Toxicol. 2014 Jun;7(2):60-72. doi: 10.2478/intox-2014-0009. Epub 2014 Nov 15. PMID: 26109881; PMCID: PMC4427717.
- Galli FS, Mollari M, Tassinari V, Alimonti C, Ubaldi A, Cuva C, Marcoccia D. Overview of human health effects related to glyphosate exposure. Front Toxicol. 2024 Sep 18;6:1474792. doi: 10.3389/ftox.2024.1474792. PMID: 39359637; PMCID: PMC11445186.
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