The J.M. Smucker Co. is suing Trader Joe’s, alleging that the grocery chain's new frozen peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are too similar to Smucker’s Uncrustables in design, crimped edges, and packaging, violating its trademarks.
The J.M. Smucker Co. has filed a federal lawsuit against Trader Joe’s, claiming the grocery chain's new frozen peanut butter and jelly sandwiches infringe on Smucker’s Uncrustables trademarks. Smucker asserts that Trader Joe's round, crustless sandwiches share the distinctive pie-like crimp markings on their edges and similar blue packaging with a bite-mark image, which Smucker uses for its Uncrustables. Smucker, which has invested over $1 billion in developing the Uncrustables brand over the last 20 years since acquiring the concept in 1998, states it does not object to others selling crustless sandwiches but cannot allow the use of its valuable intellectual property. The company is seeking restitution and the destruction of all infringing Trader Joe’s products and packaging. Legal experts, like Michael Kelber, suggest Smucker’s registered trademarks bolster its argument, though Trader Joe’s might contend the crimping is functional or that its sandwiches' slightly squarer shape provides differentiation. Smucker claims consumer deception is already happening, citing social media evidence of people believing Trader Joe's is contracting with Smucker. This lawsuit follows a similar cease and desist action Smucker took in 2022 against another company and is seen by experts as a necessary step for Smucker to enforce its brand's integrity. Trademark cases often lead to settlements to avoid expensive trials, and this lawsuit mirrors a recent one by Mondelez International against Aldi over packaging similarities.
