Smucker sues Trader Joe's, saying its new PB&J sandwiches are too similar to Uncrustables

Published: Thursday, October 16, 2025 at 1:51 am

Smucker Sues Trader Joe's Over PB&J Sandwich Similarity

The J.M. Smucker Co. has filed a lawsuit against Trader Joe's, alleging that the grocery chain's new frozen peanut butter and jelly sandwiches infringe on Smucker's trademarks for its popular Uncrustables product. The lawsuit, filed in federal court, centers on the design and packaging of Trader Joe's sandwiches, which Smucker claims are too similar to Uncrustables.

Smucker's primary concerns revolve around the sandwiches' appearance. The company argues that the round, crustless design with crimped edges, mirroring the Uncrustables' signature look, violates its trademarks. Furthermore, Smucker points to the packaging, noting that Trader Joe's uses a blue color for its lettering, similar to Uncrustables packaging. The inclusion of a sandwich with a bite taken out of it on the Trader Joe's box also raises concerns.

Smucker emphasizes that its issue isn't with the general concept of prepackaged, frozen, crustless sandwiches but with Trader Joe's alleged use of its intellectual property. The company is seeking financial restitution and a court order requiring Trader Joe's to surrender and destroy all infringing products and packaging.

Legal experts suggest that Smucker's registered trademarks will strengthen its case. However, Trader Joe's may argue that the crimping is a functional design element and not subject to trademark protection. The slight difference in shape, with Trader Joe's sandwiches appearing somewhat more square, could also be a point of contention.

Uncrustables, originally developed in 1996, were acquired by Smucker in 1998. The company has invested heavily in the brand, spending over $1 billion over two decades. This includes perfecting the bread and developing new flavor variations.

This isn't the first time Smucker has taken legal action to protect its brand. In 2022, the company sent a cease and desist letter to a company making upscale versions of crustless sandwiches.

BNN's Perspective:

While trademark protection is crucial for brand owners, this case highlights the fine line between competition and infringement. It will be interesting to see how the court balances Smucker's right to protect its intellectual property with Trader Joe's right to offer a similar product. A settlement seems likely, but the outcome will set a precedent for future cases involving product design and packaging.

Keywords: Smucker, Trader Joe's, Uncrustables, lawsuit, peanut butter and jelly, PB&J, trademark, packaging, design, frozen sandwiches, intellectual property, legal, infringement, brand, competition

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