US FDA Issues Letter to Industry and Consumers about Palm Leaf Dinnerware

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The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a letter warning that dinnerware made from sheaths of A. catechu leaves can leach toxic alkaloid chemicals into food and should not be sold on the US market. Companies intending to market such products must first submit a pre-market notification.

On May 8, 2025, the FDA issued a letter to retailers, distributors and importers informing them that dinnerware products such as bowls, plates, cups and utensils made from the sheath of A. catechu palm leaves have the potential to leach toxic alkaloid chemicals into food. These naturally occurring chemicals, which can be found in various parts of the A. catechu palm plant, including the leaf sheath, were found to cause negative health effects when ingested, including cancer. Therefore, such dinnerware should not be offered for sale on the US market.

These findings are based on the FDA’s evaluation report on the use of A. catechu palm leaf sheaths in dinnerware products. This report indicates that these imported products are marketed as single-use paper/plastic dinnerware that is eco-friendly, biodegradable and compostable. The labeling information on some of these products claims that they can be reused, microwaved, washed with soap and water or marketed for both hot and cold food contact use.

According to the evaluation report, there are four naturally occurring and structurally related toxic alkaloid chemicals (arecoline, arecaidine, guvacoline and guvacine) found in A. catechu fruits (i.e. nuts), leaves, roots, tender shoots and veins at different stages of maturation.

The findings from this report conclude that all four alkaloid chemicals migrate to a food simulant from palm leaf dinnerware products under conditions designed to mimic their intended use. Additionally, the migration of these chemicals occurred at higher concentrations over time following microwave heating of A. catechu bowls. Scientific literature indicates that dietary exposure to these alkaloids can induce adverse toxicological effects and has the potential to seriously impact human health.

The FDA has historically not objected to the use of many natural food contact materials, if they are safe and of sufficient purity. However, the FDA letter emphasizes that the use of A. catechu leaf sheaths in food contact products such as dinnerware does not meet the legal criteria for generally recognized as safe (GRAS). There is no  food additive regulation, effective food contact notification (FCN), or issued Threshold of Regulation (TOR) exemption establishing safe conditions of use of palm leaf dinnerware.

Although the FDA letter also stresses that the agency has placed all dinnerware products made from the sheath of A. catechu leaves on Import Alert 23-15 to prevent their importation into the US, economic operators may submit a food contact notification if they wish to offer such dinnerware for sale in the US.

It is important to note that 21 U.S.C. 342(a)(2)(C)(i) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) prohibits the sale of an adulterated product, and the FDA will take appropriate action when such products are found on the US market or detected during import inspections.

We help manufacturers and suppliers of food contact materials (FCM) achieve compliance with markets worldwide while supporting sustainability and market growth through product certification. Our experts offer extensive experience in testing materials and articles for multiple markets, ensuring they meet regulatory and environmental standards.

We provide comprehensive FCM testing, including migration tests, along with expert guidance on evolving regulations, compliance issues and documentation review. Our expertise ensures your products meet the appropriate territorial regulations for food contact materials and helps pave the way for compliance. Contact us to learn more, or visit our website. In the end, it’s only trusted because it’s tested.