“Making the invisible visible.”
That’s the stated mission of two organizations behind a recent study claiming Girl Scout cookies contain toxic chemicals.
In December, nonprofits Moms Across America and GMOScience published a study that found 100% of tested Girl Scout cookies contain “elevated levels” of aluminum, arsenic, cadmium, lead and mercury, and that 13 types of cookies were positive for high levels of glyphosate, a herbicide used to kill weeds.
The study, titled, “Danger in the Dough: Unveiling the Toxic Contaminants in Girl Scout Cookies,” has received criticism, as it wasn’t published by a scientific journal or peer reviewed. Experts say the study was also of a small sample size − only 25 cookies − and compared heavy metals and glyphosate levels to the Environmental Protection Agency’s water safety limits, which aren’t applicable for food.
In a Feb. 6 blog post, Girl Scouts of America denounced the study’s claims, reassuring customers that, “Girl Scout Cookies are safe to consume” and meet all regulations set by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and EPA.
On March 10, a New York woman filed a federal lawsuit against Girl Scouts of America, claiming the organization, in addition to cookie manufacturers Ferrero U.S.A. and Interbake Foods are selling cookies that contain toxins. The woman has since dismissed herself, but New Yorkers Danielle Barbaro and Judy Cholewa have since taken over as plaintiffs.
As the lawsuit unfolds, here’s what to know about the organizations behind the Girl Scout cookie study.
Who authored the Girl Scout cookie study?
The study was authored by Michelle Perro, CEO of GMOScience; Zen Honeycutt, founder and executive director of Moms Across America; and Stephanie Seneff, senior research scientist at the MIT Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory.
The three women have a history of targeting GMOs, glyphosate and other toxic chemicals in foods:
- Perro describes herself as a veteran pediatrician with more than 40 years of experience in “acute and integrative medicine.” She is the co-author of “What’s Making our Children Sick?: How Industrial Food Is Causing an Epidemic of Chronic Illness and What Parents (and Doctors) Can Do About It.”
- In addition to founding Moms Across America, Honeycutt authored a book recounting how her and her family transitioned to an all-organic diet in an effort to avoid GMOs, or genetically-modified organisms.
- And Seneff, who holds degrees in biophysics, electrical engineering and computer science, has been an MIT senior research scientist since 2010, she told . She also authored a book arguing that glyphosate is responsible for “debilitating chronic diseases, including autism, liver disease and more.”
Perro and Seneff both serve on Moms Across America’s advisory board, according to the organization’s website.
Expert expresses concern with study’s presentation
Jessica Steier, CEO of Vital Statistics Consulting and founder of the podcast “Unbiased Science,” has been familiar with Moms Across America for several years, first analyzing a study the organization conducted about glyphosate levels in Banza chickpea pasta in 2024. Vital Statistics Consulting is a data science consultancy that specializes in public health analytics.
Steier told that she became familiar with the Girl Scout cookie study after concerned parents began reaching out with questions.
“From my analysis, Moms Across America consistently presents data in ways that create maximum alarm by misrepresenting statistics, highlighting preliminary research without proper context and fundamentally misunderstanding a basic toxicology principle: the presence of a substance does not automatically indicate risk,” Steier said in an email. “The dose makes the poison, and this nuance is consistently absent from their work.”
As an example, Steier spoke about the study’s glyphosate level claims, which state that the levels in several of the cookies were “334 times higher” than what is harmful to consume.
Steier said when analyzed, “the highest glyphosate level they found (111 parts per billion in Thin Mints) would require a child to consume over 9,000 cookies in a single day to approach even the most conservative safety thresholds.”
In response, Honeycutt told that consumers should be “alarmed.”
“We hope that rather than attack the messengers, they (Girl Scouts of America) chose to select better ingredients, empower their girls to learn new skills by baking their own organic cookies and be champions for regenerative organic farming.”
What is Moms Across America?
Established in 2013, Moms Across America is a nonprofit dedicated to advocating against GMOs, through the lens of empowering mothers.
Genetically-modified organisms are plants, animals or microorganisms that have had their DNA changed, according to the FDA. Common ingredients that contain GMOs include cornstarch, corn syrup, corn oil, soybean oil, canola oil and granulated sugar, according to the FDA. Some fresh produce, like potatoes, apples and pink pineapples are also available in GMO varieties. The FDA says that GMOs are safe to eat, as they are tested by the FDA, EPA and U.S. Department of Agriculture before being put on the market.
Honeycutt told that Moms Across America conducts studies and produces data that “shows that our food is contaminated.”
The group has previously come under fire for claims it made about other publicly-available food items, with some arguing their claims were misleading or lack context.
On its website, the organization outlines anti-vaccination rhetoric and alternative medications like a “vaccine detox herbal extract.”
Honeycutt has been a vocal supporter of U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who was a former adviser to the organization, according to the Moms Across America website. Kennedy’s office did not respond for comment when contacted by .
What is GMOScience?
GMOScience, founded in 2014, describes itself as “a voice for independent science.” The group generates articles, videos and podcasts largely in opposition to GMOs.
Honeycutt and Seneff are both advisors of GMOScience, according to the organization’s website.
Who tested the Girl Scout cookies?
The Health Research Institute and New Jersey Laboratories sampled the Girl Scout cookies on behalf of Moms Across America and GMOScience.
What is the Health Research Institute?
“Making the invisible visible,” welcomes users on the Health Research Institute’s website homepage.
Based in Iowa, the Health Research Institute is a nonprofit that focuses on glyphosate testing, specifically in foods, founder John Fagan told . The institute, founded in 2015, employs five-full time scientists, he added.
The Health Research Institute has worked with Moms Across America before. In 2022, Moms Across America released a study analyzing the amount of toxic chemicals found in school lunches, and the Health Research Institute conducted the research.
What is New Jersey Laboratories?
According to the New Jersey Laboratories website, the lab was founded in 1936, at the time under the name New Jersey Dairy Laboratories. The lab specialized in dairy and food production testing. In the ’70s, the lab became New Jersey Laboratories.
New Jersey Laboratories tests products in the pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, dietary supplement, cosmetic, dairy and food industries, according to its website.
New Jersey Laboratories Chief Commercial Office Rajul Vyas told that the laboratory is unable to discuss the details of the study due to a non-disclosure agreement with Moms Across America, which Honeycutt confirmed. Vyas said the lab signs NDAs with all of its clients.
Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at . Follow her on X and Instagram @gretalcross. Story idea? Email her at [email protected].
