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Smucker Sues Trader Joe’s Over Alleged Uncrustables Copycat in Ohio Federal Court

Smucker seeks a court order to halt Trader Joe’s crustless PB&J over protected Uncrustables design, alleging consumer confusion.

Overview

  • The J. M. Smucker Co. filed its complaint on Oct. 13 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, targeting Trader Joe’s Crustless Peanut Butter & Strawberry Jam Sandwiches.
  • The suit cites protected trade dress including a round pie‑like shape, undulated crimped edges, a package image with a bite revealing filling, and a similar blue color scheme.
  • Smucker requests an injunction to stop sales, the destruction of products and packaging, and recovery of profits, restitution, unspecified damages, and fees.
  • The complaint includes social media posts as evidence of confusion, including a claim that Trader Joe’s sandwiches were made by Smucker under a private‑label arrangement.
  • Smucker says Uncrustables produce about 1.5 billion sandwiches annually and approach $1 billion in sales; Trader Joe’s has not commented as no court timeline has been announced.