Is Joe Rogan correct that Girl Scout cookies are "toxic as fuck"? Here is what we know about the situation: Podcast host Rogan said on his program that a study of Girl Scout cookies shows they have high levels of glyphosate and heavy metals. The Girl Scouts organization published a statement declaring their cookies are safe to consume, and heavy metals are not added to their cookies. The organization also explained, "glyphosate is widely used in agriculture in accordance with established EPA standards and is found nearly everywhere in the food chain."
The claim appeared in a post and video (archived here) where it was published on Instagram on February 25, 2025. It includes video in which Rogan says:
I was reading some study on fuckin' ... um ... on Girl Scout Cookies ... Like, they've done those studies on Girl Scout cookies where they break them down and find out what's in them. Oh holy shit. They're fucking toxic as fuck.
This is what the post looked like on Instagram at the time of writing:
(Source: Instagram.com screenshot taken on Thur Feb 26 17:36:00 2025 UTC)
As Rogan's comments spread, Lead Stories has compiled information summarizing Rogan's remarks, what study he is referring to and what the Girls Scouts response was to allegations that Girl Scout cookies are toxic.
What Rogan said
Rogan was speaking with guest Woody Harrelson on the February 22, 2025, episode of his podcast The "Joe Rogan Experience" posted on YouTube. He was discussing organic food and people with glyphosate in their systems and said he read a study on Girl Scout cookies and they have very high levels of glyphosate:
I was reading some study on fuckin'... um ... on Girl Scout Cookies ... Like, they've done those studies on Girl Scout cookies where they break them down and find out what's in them. Oh holy shit. They're fucking toxic as fuck.
Thin mints, Rogan said, are the worst offenders.
What the study said
A study (archived here) was funded by the organization Moms Across America, in partnership with the group GMOScience (archived here), that tested glyphosate levels in each Girl Scout cookie. The report, summarized in an article published on the Moms Across America site on December 30, 2024, claims there were traces of toxic metals and glyphosate in all the cookies tested.
The study summary claimed:
One hundred percent of the 13 types of 25 cookies tested from 3 states, California, Iowa, and Louisiana, were positive for very elevated levels of glyphosate/AMPA, responsible for multiple health issues including cancer, endocrine disruption, gut issues, miscarriages, sperm damage, autism, neurotoxicity, and reproductive damage.
Girl Scouts Response
The Girl Scouts published a statement about the claims on their website (archived here) on February 6, 2025, writing, "Girl Scout Cookies are made with ingredients that adhere to food safety standards set by the FDA and other relevant authorities." They noted, "these metals are not added to our Girl Scout Cookies":
Our trusted bakers remain committed to compliance with all food safety standards and regulations set forth by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and other relevant health authorities.
These standards ensure that food products are safe for consumption.
As a result, Girl Scout Cookies are safe to consume and are manufactured in accordance with all food safety regulations.
The response noted the "environmental contaminants--which can include heavy metals-- can occur naturally in soil":
This means that nearly all foods using plant-based ingredients, including organic foods, may contain trace amounts. This does not mean that these foods are harmful to consume.
Glyphosate is widely used in agriculture in accordance with established EPA standards and is found nearly everywhere in the food chain. Trace amounts of glyphosate can be found in fresh fruits, vegetables, cereals, baked goods, and other food and beverage commodities.
Similarly, small amounts of heavy metals can be found naturally in the environment, including in food products, due to air, water, and soil exposure.
These metals are not added to our Girl Scout Cookies.
While such occurrences are not unique to Girl Scout Cookies, our trusted baking partners continue to ensure the integrity of our recipes and the safety of all Girl Scout Cookie products in accordance with federal regulations and Global Food Safety initiative standards.
Our bakers have confirmed that the levels reported do not pose a food safety concern to our customers.
Other Lead Stories fact checks about the Girls Scouts can be found here.
