Full Breakdown
FDA Issues Class II Recall of Great Value Hawaiian Rolls Distributed to 26 States
6/23/2026, 2:13:18 AM
Recall Overview
On May 15 2026 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced a recall of Great Value Hawaiian Roll 4-packs sold under Walmart’s private-label brand. The recall covers 10,447 cases (188,046 packages) of 4.5-ounce rolls after United States Bakery, the Oregon-based licensor, detected an oily and sticky substance on the packaging surface that contacts the bread. The FDA’s enforcement report, released June 16, classified the action as a Class II recall, indicating that exposure could cause temporary or medically reversible health effects, though serious harm is considered unlikely. No injuries have been reported, and the product never reached retail shelves; all affected units remained at wholesale distribution centers.
Manufacturing and Distribution Background
United States Bakery produces the Great Value rolls under license for Walmart. The recalled batches bear Julian codes W1 116 and production dates ranging from April 26 to May 15 2026. Distribution spanned 26 states—Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Maine, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. Walmart’s standard recall protocol involves coordinating with manufacturers and regulators to block recalled items from sale and retrieve them from distribution facilities.
Key Entities Involved
- United States Bakery – Oregon-based manufacturer and licensor of the Great Value brand.
- Walmart Inc. – Retail partner responsible for distributing the product nationwide.
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration – Federal agency that issued the recall and assigned the Class II classification.
Scope and Numbers
- Cases recalled: 10,447
- Packages affected: 188,046
- Julian codes: 116, 119, 120, 127, 134, 135
- Production dates: April 26, April 29, April 30, May 7, May 14, May 15 2026
- States involved: 26 (listed above)
Regulatory Assessment and Official Response
The FDA’s classification reflects its assessment that the contamination poses a limited health risk, especially because the product was intercepted before consumer exposure. Walmart’s public statements emphasize adherence to recall protocols and the removal of all affected inventory from distribution channels. The agency’s report notes that the oily residue was found on the direct food-contact surface of the packaging, not confirmed inside the bread itself.
Unresolved Issues and Information Gaps
The FDA report does not identify the source of the oily and sticky substance. One source suggests soybean oil—an ingredient in similar roll formulations—could have migrated to the packaging, but this hypothesis remains unverified. Consequently, the precise cause of the contamination and any potential impact on the bread’s interior composition remain unknown.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The FDA classified the recall as Class II, which indicates a situation where use of or exposure to a violative product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences, or where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote.” — FDA, Enforcement Report
- “All affected product remained at wholesale distribution centers and has been accounted for, the FDA stated.” — FDA, Enforcement Report
- “No injuries have been reported.” — FDA, Enforcement Report
- “If you have a package matching those codes and dates, do not eat it.” — FDA, Consumer Guidance
Implications for Food Safety and Distribution
The recall illustrates the FDA’s capacity to intervene at the distribution stage, preventing potentially contaminated food from reaching consumers. It also highlights the importance of monitoring packaging integrity, as contaminants on direct-contact surfaces can trigger regulatory action even when the food product itself appears unaffected.
What’s Next
The FDA will continue to monitor United States Bakery’s corrective actions and may conduct further investigations to determine the contamination source. Walmart is expected to maintain its recall procedures and provide refunds or replacements to any customers who inadvertently receive the product.
