In response to a recent FDA warning about potential long-term risks associated with products made from Areca Catechu Palm Leaf, we’ve made the decision to discontinue any items containing this material.
Your bunny’s safety means everything to us.
We recently learned of an FDA warning regarding products made from the leaf of the Areca Catechu Palm. While the FDA’s concern is directed at potential long-term risks to humans—not immediate or acute harm—the data that raised these concerns came from animal studies. That alone is enough for us to take notice.
Out of deep care and caution, we are immediately discontinuing any Palm products that come from the Areca Catechu species. There are two different species in the Areca family, but Catechu is believed to be the more commonly used in palm leaf ware.
This decision isn’t about panic – The FDA has not issued a recall, but has placed these products on import alert due to concerns around naturally occurring alkaloids that may pose health risks over time. And while the warning is specific to humans, our bunny companions are even more sensitive. If it’s not safe enough for people, we simply won’t take the risk on products for our bunnies either.
Customers have asked if ALL palm leaf products are affected:
No. Only those potentially made from Areca Catechu. There are two main species in the Areca genus, but Catechu is most commonly used and currently under FDA import alert. We are NO LONGER selling any Areca Palm on our site. Any palm that we currently sell is not Areca and is not part of the warning.
We’ll continue to follow the research closely and remain open to updates. But until then, this discontinuation is indefinite unless we receive new safety information. Our commitment is simple: to protect the well-being of the animals we love, and the trust of the people who care for them.
Thanks for your business,
Jennifer & Steve + The Binky Team